Fresh Express to host fresh produce safety research conference
Fresh Express to host fresh produce safety research conference
Salinas, CA-based Fresh Express Inc. will hold a one-day conference Thursday, Sept. 11, in nearby Monterey, CA. The purpose of the conference is to share findings of nine E. coli 0157:H7 research projects that focus on contamination of leafy greens.
Fresh Express funded the projects, all launched and completed in a 12- month time frame that wrapped up a few months ago.
The Fresh Express 2008 Fresh Produce Safety Research Conference will be held at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The conference fee is $100 per person, though waived for government employees. For a confirmed registration, completed registration forms and payment must be received no later than Wednesday, Aug. 27. Day-of registration walk-ins will be accommodated only as space permits.
Special hotel rates have been negotiated for conference guests who reserve rooms by Friday, Aug. 22. Hotel room reservations may be made by calling 800/421-0640.
The nine projects were selected from a list of nearly 70 proposed projects, according to Jim Lugg, executive vice president of science and quality for Fresh Express.
"No one knows the results," Mr. Lugg said of the nine projects, adding that those in attendance -- including himself -- all will learn the results for the first time at the conference. The projects "covered a broad array of subjects" related to E. coli 0157:H7 contamination of leafy greens, he said.
Presenters and panel discussion participants will include Robert Tauxe, acting deputy director of the Division of Foodborne, Bacterial & Mycotic Diseases for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Jeff Farrar, chief of the Food & Drug Branch of the California Department of Health Services; Michael Osterholm, executive director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy; and Manan Sharma of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fresh Express first had the idea to fund such research projects around May 2006. But several months later, the industry was hit with the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in spinach. Though the outbreak wasn't connected in any way to Fresh Express, the company eventually followed through with its research plans.
Nine research projects were selected independently by a Fresh Express Scientific Advisory Panel, totaling $2 million. Fresh Express has taken steps not to gain an advantage over its competitors with the nine research projects, Mr. Lugg said. Sharing the findings with the industry is one obvious step. Fresh Express "kept its hands off" the process as much as possible, even to the point of suggesting other appropriate companies besides Fresh Express for researchers to take sample product from, Mr. Lugg said.
Going forward, the findings from these research efforts will be peer reviewed, Mr. Lugg said, adding that he believes the research will present new information that the industry hasn't been educated about.
Fresh Express funded the projects, all launched and completed in a 12- month time frame that wrapped up a few months ago.
The Fresh Express 2008 Fresh Produce Safety Research Conference will be held at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The conference fee is $100 per person, though waived for government employees. For a confirmed registration, completed registration forms and payment must be received no later than Wednesday, Aug. 27. Day-of registration walk-ins will be accommodated only as space permits.
Special hotel rates have been negotiated for conference guests who reserve rooms by Friday, Aug. 22. Hotel room reservations may be made by calling 800/421-0640.
The nine projects were selected from a list of nearly 70 proposed projects, according to Jim Lugg, executive vice president of science and quality for Fresh Express.
"No one knows the results," Mr. Lugg said of the nine projects, adding that those in attendance -- including himself -- all will learn the results for the first time at the conference. The projects "covered a broad array of subjects" related to E. coli 0157:H7 contamination of leafy greens, he said.
Presenters and panel discussion participants will include Robert Tauxe, acting deputy director of the Division of Foodborne, Bacterial & Mycotic Diseases for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Jeff Farrar, chief of the Food & Drug Branch of the California Department of Health Services; Michael Osterholm, executive director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy; and Manan Sharma of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fresh Express first had the idea to fund such research projects around May 2006. But several months later, the industry was hit with the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in spinach. Though the outbreak wasn't connected in any way to Fresh Express, the company eventually followed through with its research plans.
Nine research projects were selected independently by a Fresh Express Scientific Advisory Panel, totaling $2 million. Fresh Express has taken steps not to gain an advantage over its competitors with the nine research projects, Mr. Lugg said. Sharing the findings with the industry is one obvious step. Fresh Express "kept its hands off" the process as much as possible, even to the point of suggesting other appropriate companies besides Fresh Express for researchers to take sample product from, Mr. Lugg said.
Going forward, the findings from these research efforts will be peer reviewed, Mr. Lugg said, adding that he believes the research will present new information that the industry hasn't been educated about.
