Not surprisingly, there are plans in the works to make fresh produce more traceable in the wake of the recent outbreak of food poisoning from some types of raw tomato.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest asked the FDA to institute some kind of food safety plan — including how they would trace their produce — nearly two years ago. The Food and Drug Administration hasn’t ruled (yet) on the petition, but there has been some progress.
The FDA has asked Congress for funding for food safety programs for 2009 and forward. Making produce more traceable is just one part of the plan. The food safety programs will also include more produce inspections and other contamination prevention efforts.
In the meantime, the Produce Marketing Association began asking growers and suppliers to voluntarily help make fresh produce more traceable. Growers and suppliers have been asked to put traceable codes on shipping boxes to help FDA authorities track produce in the case of an outbreak of food poisoning. These codes will help researchers follow the steps from farm to packer to supplier to final destination (store or restaurant).
A newly passed law will require fresh produce to bear labels that identify the country or area of origin — that goes for both domestic and imported fruits and veggies. This one goes into effect this year. Right now, approximately sixty percent of the top produce items already have some kind of labeling, often labeling that includes the area of origin. Think of “Washington apples” or “Hawaiian pineapple”.
However, the Produce Marketing Association says that tomatoes are not in that sixty percent. In fact, tomatoes are among the least-labeled produce.
I was shopping at Whole Foods the other day and noticed that they have signage that says where the fruits and veggies they sell are grown. Nice work, Whole Foods! However, until the tracing program is law, we probably won’t see 100% voluntary labeling for produce.