United Fresh to create shared database on food-safety tests
WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association has approved a plan to begin collecting microbiological testing data on commodities, Robert Whitaker of NewStar Fresh Foods said at a food-safety hearing on Capitol Hill.
Dr. Whitaker, who is also past chairman of United Fresh, said that the database would be blinded to protect the identity of data sources and developed in conjunction with outside legal counsel to provide maximum integrity.
Record participation at CPMA trade show in Montreal
MONTREAL -- The Canadian Produce Marketing Association's recently completed convention was shorter in duration than in previous years, but CPMA officials termed it successful in all respects, from workshops to social events, from speakers to the trade show.
The 82nd annual convention, held here May 9-11, was a three-day event - one day shorter than in previous years.
SALINAS SCENE: Salinas Valley brain trust may make considerable contribution to biofuel
An inedible, toxic fruit could be the best thing that has happened to the burgeoning movement in biofuels, and agribusiness talent from the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas could help tip the balance in favor of that fruit becoming the biofuel source of choice worldwide.
Connecticut Department of Agriculture kicks off 2007 season with new campaign
In an effort to raise consumer awareness of and support for Connecticut farmers and "Connecticut Grown" products, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has partnered with Cashman & Katz Integrated Communications, a marketing firm in Glastonbury, CT, to develop a new comprehensive, statewide advertising and public relations campaign for 2007.
Bipartisan group of senators announce immigration agreement
WASHINGTON -- A bipartisan group of senators announced May 17 that they had reached an agreement on comprehensive immigration reform that includes most of the provisions of the industry-supported AgJOBs bill: a guest worker program, employment verification system, and a system to address the current 12 million undocumented workers living in the United States.
RLB changes hands
Two executives of RLB Food Distributors LP, based in West Caldwell, NJ, have purchased the company from its founder.
Floyd Avillo and Pat Mele III, chief operating officer and vice president/ controller, respectively, have purchased 100 percent of the company stock from Rob Bildner. The deal closed on May 9.
Mr. Bildner was president of RLB, which he founded in 1985. He and his wife, Elisa Spungen Bildner, who was president of RLB's processing division, FreshPro, have left the company to pursue other interests.
Allan Corrin, grape and tree fruit innovator, dies at 80
Allan Corrin, who is best known for shepherding the development of the Ruby Red seedless grape variety and launching Lunch Bunch grapes, died May 8, as a result of complications from a stroke he suffered in 2005. He was 80.
CNN to air documentary on tainted vegetables
One of the better known health advisers, Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, will star in a documentary airing May 19 and May 20 that investigates the deadly spinach outbreak.
In CNN: Special Investigations Unit - Danger: Poisoned Food, Dr. Gupta "asks tough questions about the voluntary guidance on the produce industrys processing and reveals that the FDA knew about problems that existed on farms in California," CNN said in a statement on the upcoming special.
Boggiatto rolls out Iceberg Babies at retail
SALINAS, CA -- Boggiatto Produce, based here, has rolled out is Iceberg Babies at retail after a successful introduction in foodservice. The product was introduced at retail in April and is currently being distributed in the western United States with plans to go national this summer, said Boggiatto Controller Joann Glennon. For retail customers, Iceberg Babies come two in a bag with 20 bags per carton.
Canada issues new import requirements for U.S. leafy greens
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will implement new import requirements on U.S. leafy greens, effective June 1. Under the new requirements, which were announced May 4, shippers must declare on confirmation of sale documents whether any of the leafy greens that they are exporting to Canada were grown in California or in a state other than California.
If any product was grown in California, the CFIA will now require that it be from a signatory handler of the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement.