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Produce Safety Program Supervisor Phillips published in academic journal about survival of foodborne pathogens on dried apricots

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
Shelley Phillips

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program Manager Shelley Phillips is published in the March 2021 issue of Food Control as a co-author of “Survival of common foodborne pathogens on dried apricots made with and without sulfur dioxide treatment.”

Abstract

To fill the current knowledge gap in the survival of foodborne pathogens on dried fruits, this study monitored the survival of three common pathogens on dried apricots. Sun-dried apricots made with (DAS) and without sulfur dioxide (DANS) treatments were used and were inoculated using a dry (sand) or a wet (phosphate-buffered saline, PBS) carrier. The survival of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on inoculated dried apricots was monitored for three months during ambient temperature storage. When dried apricots were inoculated with the wet carrier, all three pathogens survived the 48- hour drying period. After drying and during ambient temperature storage, the number of culturable pathogen cells decreased as the storage time increased. Among all three pathogens, STEC survived with higher culturable numbers for a longer period of time than the other two pathogens on DANS over the 90-day storage period. When pathogens were inoculated via the dry carrier, Salmonella survived with higher culturable numbers among three pathogens on DANS, indicating its enhanced survivability after being dried on sand and exposed to stress conditions before inoculation. In addition, regardless of the inoculation carriers, pathogens survived for longer periods of time or with higher levels on DANS, indicating the antimicrobial properties of free SO2 contained in DAS. In summary, based on the results of this study, pathogens can survive on dried fruits; factors affecting pathogen survival include the types of test pathogens, inoculation methods, and the use of sulfur dioxide.

Citation

Zhuosheng Liu, Chao Liao, Kayla Golson, Shelley Phillips, Luxin Wang. “Survival of common foodborne pathogens on dried apricots made with and without sulfur dioxide treatment,” Food Control, Volume 121, March 2021, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713520304850.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program | Leave a comment

CDFA’s State Organic Program inspects organic products coming into California at border

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
California State Organic Program Special Investigator Leslie Fernandez collaborates with CDFA Needles Border Station staff to inspect organic blueberries and organic seeds entering California.

Did you know the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Organic Program (SOP) collaborates with CDFA’s Border Protection Stations to inspect organic products coming into California?

SOP and border station staff recently inspected organic blueberries and organic seeds entering California at the Needle Border Inspection Station. The organic inspection included verifying proper paperwork and checking that packages follow labeling requirements.

This is part of SOP’s increased efforts to conduct inspections through different stages of the food chain to ensure the integrity of organic products being grown and sold in California.

The California State Organic Program is part of the Inspection & Compliance branch in CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA California State Organic Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Inspection Services: Did You Know? | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Apply now to fill vacancies on CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing three vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board. The board makes regulatory and enforcement recommendations to the department to help ensure commercial feed inspections contribute to a clean and wholesome supply of milk, meat and eggs.

The vacancies are for three commercial feed industry representatives. Click here to read a CDFA press release that includes further details and directions on how to apply to be a member of the Feed Inspection Advisory Board.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Commercial Feed Regulatory Program releases winter Quarterly Feed Update

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program’s Quarterly Feed Update for winter 2021.

Topics include:

  • New laboratory services partnerships
  • Change in feed inspection tonnage tax rate
  • Evaluating the efficacy of Asparagopsis seaweed for commercial feed
  • UC Davis research trial evaluating potential livestock feed components

The Commercial Feed Regulatory Program is part of the Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch of CDFA’s Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA webpage offers resources to increase food recovery and reduce food waste

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

U.S. food waste is estimated to be 30-40 percent of the food supply and Californians throw away approximately 6 million tons of food waste annually. To help reduce food waste and increase food recovery, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing a Food Recovery webpage.

“California’s agricultural industries already are doing so much for food recovery for animal feed, industrial uses and composting,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This webpage highlights the significance of that work and offers tools to help consumers understand how they can join the effort.”

One section examines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Food Recovery Hierarchy, which prioritizes actions to prevent and divert food waste.

The Food Date Labeling section outlines best practices the industry is advancing to reduce food waste due to confusion over date labeling, such as favoring a “best if used by” date over a “sell by” date.

The Resources section offers infographic fact sheets, food donation resources, helpful links to state and federal partners.

There is also an Understanding Food Recovery and Food Upcycling educational video full of consumer tips.

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February Farm to School Network newsletter highlights upcoming F2S conference, network survey, celebrating Black history

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Farm to School Network’s February newsletter was just released.

Newsletter highlights include:

  • Register now for the virtual California Farm to School Conference March 10-12.
  • Take a 5-minute network member survey to help the California Farm to School Network understand how to better facilitate connection and collaboration among California’s farm to school leaders.
  • The Edible Schoolyard Project celebrates Black History Month.
  • Farm to school success of Westminster High School FFA and Orange County Food Bank partnership.
  • Farm to school and school garden resources, funding and events.

The California Farm to School Network is composed of farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Click on the newsletter subscribe button to also receive these monthly updates that include information about grants, resources, research, webinars, events and news from the National Farm to School Network. The California Farm to School Program is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) in the Division of Inspection Services.

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CDFA presents helpful resources at Latino Farmer Conference

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
Environmental Scientist Cristina Jimenez speaks about the CDFA Produce Safety Program during the sixth annual Latino Farmer Conference.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) co-sponsored, attended and presented at the sixth annual Latino Farmer Conference on February 11. The virtual conference presented in Spanish was held to facilitate the creation of networks and provide pertinent information and resources to the Latino farming community. It was hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

CDFA Farmer Equity Advisor Thea Rittenhouse gave a presentation about the CDFA Farmer Resource Portal, which is designed to help farmers and ranchers learn about CDFA grant programs, regulations that affect farmers, CDFA boards and commissions, and resources CDFA offers for farmers and ranchers in multiple languages.

“I specifically mentioned our Climate Smart Agriculture programs and how to find a technical assistance provider to apply and implement the projects, as well as the prioritization of small-scale farmers, Latino farmers and other socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers,” said Rittenhouse.

CDFA Environmental Scientist Cristina Jimenez gave a presentation about inspections in CDFA’s Produce Safety Program, including what to expect during an inspection, record requirements, and a farmer questionnaire available in Spanish that farmers may complete to find out if they are subject to compliance with the federal Produce Safety Rule.

“I think it was received very well,” Jimenez said of her presentation. “It also was a good learning experience to hear points of view from other sides of the agricultural world.”

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program | Tagged , | Leave a comment

2020 Nutrient Management Conference presentations and proceedings now accessible online

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross gives the 2020 Nutrient Management Conference welcoming address to approximately 150 attendees of the October 28-29 virtual conference. Videos of every conference presentation and the pictured conference Proceedings booklet are now available online.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announces that all session recordings of the 2020 Nutrient Management Conference are now available on CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) website. Also available is access to the 2020 conference Proceedings booklet, which includes a synopsis of FREP’s latest achievements, summaries of current FREP-funded projects and relevant research, and a list of completed FREP projects. A FREP blog series also highlights the most common questions and answers from each presentation’s Q&A session.

For more than 25 years, FREP has presented pioneering fertilizer research at the annual Nutrient Management Conference. Since 2007, FREP has collaborated with the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) to create a conference that balances technical research with discussion on practical application. Presenters from academia, industry and agricultural consulting provide general and technical information, current research and data, and practical applications addressing statewide and regional nutrient management issues.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

CDFA awards $2 million for nutrient management projects through FREP Grant Program

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) announces $2.18 million in grant funds are being awarded to agricultural organizations and universities as a result of the 2020 cycle of the competitive FREP Grant Program.

These grants will fund 11 research projects to improve the efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilization in California agriculture, reduce the associated environmental impacts, and advance farmers’ understanding and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) for fertilizer application in farmlands.

Click here to read a CDFA press release that names each project, its principal investigators and how much each project is funded.

Since 1990, FREP has granted more than $22 million through 250 projects focusing on efficient fertilizer use and the protection of California’s environment. A database of research projects is publicly available at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch and the FREP Blog Research Update series often highlights projects. The FREP Grant Program is currently accepting proposals until January 29 for the 2021 grant cycle. FREP is part of the Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch of the CDFA Inspection Services Division.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CA Farm to School Network invites participation in survey, March 10-12 virtual conference, January 28 or 29 youth roundtable, grant program

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Joshua Bingham
California Farm to School Network logo

The California Farm to School Network is inviting participation in four opportunities:

  • A 5-minute survey to help the network understand how to better facilitate connections and collaboration between California’s farm to school leaders.
  • The 2021 CA Farm to School Virtual Conference March 10-12, for which registration opens February 2.
  • CDFA-F2F Youth Community Roundtables 4-5 p.m. January 28 or 29 to gather youth input regarding school food, for which registration closes today.
  • Submitting an application for the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program by February 16.

Click here to read the newsletter about these events, sign up for any of them or subscribe to receive California Farm to School Network Notifications.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged | Leave a comment