Quotable Quotes:

"It has been a long battle to bring the mango to the US, but after 18 years, the ban has been finally lifted and last year mangoes worth $1 million were exported to the US and would likely go up to $7 million this year.ì Within the next five years, our aim is to bring a substantial quantity to the US,î

Asit Tripathy, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, India, (APEDA)

"The public has also not embraced one measure that could substantially reduce foodborne illness: food irradiation. It's time for a fresh look at this technology's potential".

Star Tribune Editorial

In This Update:

Time to Modernize the Law on Food Irradiation

Nebraska Beef recalls beef products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination

Nebraska Beef recalls beef products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination; Congressional and Public Affairs; (July 1, 2008) From Amanda Eamich:

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2008 -- Nebraska Beef, Ltd., an Omaha, Neb., establishment is recalling approximately 531,707 pounds of ground beef components that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
 

State departments of health and agriculture in Michigan and Ohio, CDC, and the United States Department of Agricultureís Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections.

ARTESIA, CA -  The Indian Mango hogged the limelight as the drive to promote the fruit in the US, was kicked off in Southern California at an event jointly hosted by the Consulate General of India and the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, India, (APEDA) at the Bombay Garden Restaurant here on June 10.

The APEDA team which had flown in from New Delhi, was led by Chairman Asit Tripathy who informed the audience of APEDAís move to get a firm foot into the door of the vast mango market of the US and get non-Indians hooked to the tastes of the ëking of fruitsí by lining up a number of local restaurants that will serve mangoes and mango products.

Tripathy revealed that it has been a long battle to bring the mango to the US, but after 18 years, the ban has been finally lifted and last year mangoes worth $1 million were exported to the US and would likely go up to $7 million this year.ì Within the next five years, our aim is to bring a substantial quantity to the US,î Tripathy said.

The ban was mainly due to the presence of fruit flies. India and the US have now agreed on an Operational Work Plan for export of Indian mangoes, based on which guidelines have been prepared to fulfill the quarantine requirements in the US. The export consignments are treated in the Irradiation Facility under the supervision of US Irradiation experts. Tripathy underscored the fact that the radiation was very low dosage and safe and does not change the taste. Mangoes are procured from registered orchards and processed in recognized packing houses to ensure the tracking and tracing of the produce. To maintain quality and hygiene, the fruit has to undergo various other treatment processes. The irradiated mangoes are packed in netted bags and ventilated packages and are stored securely to prevent cross-infestation from untreated fruit.

PIONEER PULSE: Indian Mangoes Hit SoCal Market in Big Way

No Salmonella saintpaul tainted tomatoes yet discovered in ongoing investigation into largest produce outbreak in US history; Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) June 30, 2008:

Federal officials reported they are still hunting for a major break in their investigation of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak thought to be

caused by tomatoes, and hinted that another type of produce might be responsible for the illnesses, which have now risen to 810 confirmed cases.

Of about 1,700 samples collected so farómostly of tomatoesónone have yielded the relatively rare Salmonella enterica Saintpaul strain found in stricken patients. ï The outbreak may be the largest ever attributed to fresh produce in the United States, according to Craig Hedberg, a foodborne disease expert at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/fs/food-disease/news/jun2708outbreak-br.html

Food Safety Demands Fresh Approach; Star Tribune Edtorial; (June 12, 2008):

Calavo Growers Acquires Hawaii-Based Papaya and Tropical-Product Packing, Processing Operations

SANTA PAULA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq:CVGW) today announced that it has acquired Hawaiian Sweet Inc. and Hawaii Pride LLC, papaya and tropical-product packing and processing operations on the Big Island owned by Calavoís Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lee E. Cole. The company also reported that it has appointed Michael R. Lippold, CFA, a food-industry securities analyst, as director of strategic development, a newly created position.

A worldwide leader in avocado marketing and an expanding provider of other fresh-commodity-produce items, Calavo said that both the papaya acquisition and Lippold hire are consistent with its CEOís declared business agenda targeting 25 percent compound annual revenue growth through fiscal 2013.

Under terms of the transaction, Calavo acquires fresh operations which pack an estimated 65-70 percent of all Hawaiian-grown papayas and 80 percent of the mainland supply originating from the islands. The purchase brings under company ownership two fresh-papaya packinghouses and cooling facilities, papaya and guava puree operations (sold in bulk to food manufacturers) and U.S.D.A.-approved electronic-beam-irradiation technology used for processing Hawaiian sweet potatoes, papayas, and other tropical fruits bound for export. Calavo also gains approximately 3,000 acres on the eastern slopes of the Big Islandómore than 725 owned and the remainder under leaseówhich, in turn, are sublet to farmers under contract for their harvests with Hawaiian Sweet. Calavo Growers Acquires Hawaii-Based Papaya and Tropical-Product Packing, Processing Operations;