WASHINGTON -- The Food & Drug Administration will open its first China office in Beijing before the end of the year, and other FDA offices in India, Europe and Latin America will follow before next year, according to Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

"We're making steady progress to better safeguard our supply of food and medicines," Mr. Leavitt said in an Oct. 16 press release. "In the past year, we've upgraded labs and equipment, hired additional staff and begun implementing product-safety agreements with key trading partners, including China."

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas is hosting a seminar titled "Importing, Food Safety & Food Security: What to Expect for 2009 and Beyond" to help the importing community have direct interaction with the Food & Drug Administration, U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- three government agencies that play significant roles in overseeing the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fort Pierce, FL-based DNE World Fruit Sales is licensed by Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. to sell products on the fresh citrus side under the "Ocean Spray" label, an arrangement that dates back to the late 1990s.

"We're facing a death sentence for citrus trees in California, and the same is true for Mexico," Ted Batkin, president of the California Citrus Research Board in Visalia, said in an Oct. 10 press release. "We have a stronger chance of weakening the threat by working together on both sides of the border."

To that end, a delegation of U.S. citrus industry representatives recently traveled to Mexico to meet with their Mexican counterparts and discuss the problem.

Twice as many produce companies have gone out of business owing money so far this year than in a comparable period last year, according to the records kept by The Produce Reporter Co. on firms listed in its Blue Book industry directory and rating service.

"[The years] 2006 and 2007 were average for the number of listed companies being reported to have ceased operating with obligations not fully liquidated," Ken Schultz, vice president of rating services for the Carol Stream, IL-based firm, told The Produce News.

Usually, an industry event brings out the best in people with much boasting about their great sales, new store openings, growth in the company and loads of promotional success stories. However, the scenario has changed from a braggadocio tone to a much more oppressive atmosphere.