The California Cantaloupe Program is going to undergo some changes, more specifically, a detailed food safety program. After last years’ Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak, the market took a huge hit, even though the cantaloupes that caused the outbreak were grown in Colorado. More than 30 people died in that outbreak.
Two public hearings are planned next month to discuss changes in the California Cantaloupe Program. The changes include:
- Establishing and enforcing best agricultural practices specific to the fruit
- Setting up procedures for mandatory food safety audits
- Set disciplinary actions for non-compliant handlers
- Expanding the program to include all cantaloupe handlers in the state
- Changing the number of board members
The first meeting is taking place on March 8, 2012 at the Imperial County Farm Bureau Offices at 100 Broadway in El Centro; it will begin at 2:00 pm. The March 12, 2012 meeting will be in Fresno, at 10:30 am at the Ramada Inn on East Shaw.
Written comments are being accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. For more information, you can call Glenn Yost at 1-916-900-5018.
