The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has lifted its “Import Alert” on Guatemala melons imported into the United States by Del Monte Fresh Produce.

The issue dates back to February of this year when a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Panama infection was linked to Guatemalan cantaloupes, first by the Oregon Health Authority and then by the FDA. Del Monte issued a voluntary recall in late March, and on July 15 the FDA filed “Import Alert #22-03” specifically warning against cantaloupes originating from Asuncion Mita, Del Monte’s Guatemalan cantaloupe supplier.

C.H. Robinson Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Eden Prairie, MN-based C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., one of the larger produce sourcing and third-party logistics companies in the world, announced Sept. 27 its acquisition of melon category leader Timco Worldwide Inc. The acquisition makes C.H. Robinson one of the dominant providers in the North American and Latin American melon category.

Canary melons from Brazil are scheduled to begin arriving in the United States in early October, and the North American marketer of the product said that it is expecting a good volume of high-quality melons this season.

This represents the fourth year of U.S. distribution for the melons, which are grown by Itaueira Farms and marketed under the "REI" brand.

The melons are grown in three Brazilian states, according to Rodrigo Lima of Crown International USA LLC,

PALM BEACH, FL -- The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association left no stone unturned at its 68th annual convention, held at the Ritz Carlton here Sept. 18-21, tackling tough issues like labor and immigration, water and other natural resources, government regulation and pestilence with a power-packed series of panels and workshops featuring some of the industry's bigger hitters.

NASHVILLE -- The Southeast Produce Council has been true to its mission and is in excellent health in terms of both membership and finances, SPC President John Shuman told attendees of the council's annual fall conference, held Sept. 23-25 here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Big Box Farms, a New York City-based start-up company, has introduced what it calls breakthrough agricultural technology that will offer retailers and foodservice operators the ability to provide customers the freshest packaged salad products, sold 24 hours after harvest.