WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials warned consumers April 26 to avoid eating raw alfalfa sprouts after another Salmonella outbreak raised questions about the industry's compliance with the Fod & Drug Administration's 10- year-old safety guidelines.

A top FDA official said that the agency plans to take a close look at the 1999 Sprout Guidance to see if companies are adhering to the recommendations as FDA continues tracking down seed lots that may be responsible for the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 31 people so far.

LAS VEGAS -- Intelligent Global Pooling Systems, an Orlando, FL-based provider of recyclable plastic pallets, says that its products offer many advantages over competing wood pallets.

Bob Moore, chief executive officer of iGPS, told The Produce News that studies conducted by Environmental Resources Management, a leading worldwide environmental management consultancy, show that iGPS pallets are superior to wood pallets in a number of ways.

One of the key advantages is the difference in weight between the two types of pallets.

A new partnership with Golden Maid Packers in Strathmore, CA, has added domestic citrus to items shipped by Vancouver, BC-based The Oppenheimer Group.

According to a press release from Oppenheimer, California-grown Valencia and Navel oranges and lemons will begin shipping in early May, marking the first time the "Oppenheimer" brand has appeared on domestically grown citrus.

LAS VEGAS -- The national fruit and vegetable promotion concept being advanced by the Produce for Better Health Foundation was the subject of two add-on workshop sessions at the recently concluded United Fresh Produce Association convention, here.

LAS VEGAS -- The United Fresh Produce Association wasn't really gambling when it came up with the timely idea to showcase a Produce Traceability Demo Center, here, at United Fresh 2009.

OVIEDO, FL -- Bob Gray has announced that he will step down as chief executive officer of Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., effective June 1. He will remain with the company in an advisory capacity through Aug. 1.

Mr. Gray's decision comes at a time when the company is planning to consolidate its diversified business unit leadership teams here.