Natural Selection ramps up food-safety initiative
Natural Selection ramps up food-safety initiative
SAN DIEGO -- In the aftermath of the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in spinach that involved San Juan Bautista, CA-based Natural Selection Foods LLC, the company announced an upgraded food-safety initiative at the recent Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit.
Beginning immediately, the company will test seed in the field for several pathogens including E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella, said company spokesperson Samantha Cabaluna. The company will test all water sources, including tailwater. It will test deep wells at least once a month.
Natural Selection will require a certification of analysis for all its suppliers of seed and soil amendments, and the company will heighten sanitation at the harvest, transportation and bin level, Ms. Cabaluna said.
Once leafy greens have been harvested, they will go into a testing and holding pattern. Samples will be taken from every four-pallet lot. Twelve to 18 hours later, if product is free of pathogens, it will move forward out of holding. This system "takes nearly a day off shelf life," Ms. Cabaluna said. Testing will be done by an independent lab and will include row crops, she said.
At the processing plant level, Natural Selection will employ increased filtration and "increased agitation" as product moves through the system, Ms. Cabaluna said.
Beginning immediately, the company will test seed in the field for several pathogens including E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella, said company spokesperson Samantha Cabaluna. The company will test all water sources, including tailwater. It will test deep wells at least once a month.
Natural Selection will require a certification of analysis for all its suppliers of seed and soil amendments, and the company will heighten sanitation at the harvest, transportation and bin level, Ms. Cabaluna said.
Once leafy greens have been harvested, they will go into a testing and holding pattern. Samples will be taken from every four-pallet lot. Twelve to 18 hours later, if product is free of pathogens, it will move forward out of holding. This system "takes nearly a day off shelf life," Ms. Cabaluna said. Testing will be done by an independent lab and will include row crops, she said.
At the processing plant level, Natural Selection will employ increased filtration and "increased agitation" as product moves through the system, Ms. Cabaluna said.
