LGMA Webinar Highlights Science-Based Strategies for Preventing Cyclospora
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SALINAS, CA – Hundreds of produce industry professionals from across the supply chain participated in a public webinar hosted by the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) to learn what is currently known—and what remains unknown—about Cyclospora and the steps growers, shippers, and buyers can take to reduce risk.
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During the webinar, food safety expert Dr. Jennifer McEntire, founder of Food Safety Strategies and former Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, emphasized three key messages:
- Testing is not the answer. Current methods for detecting Cyclospora in fresh produce or water are technically challenging, have significant limitations, and should not be relied upon as a preventive food safety strategy.
- Focus on proven preventive practices. Buyers should verify that suppliers are fully complying with the mandatory food safety requirements of the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, the FDA Produce Safety Rule, or equivalent science-based food safety standards in their country of origin.
- More research is needed. While significant progress has been made in understanding Cyclospora, important questions remain regarding how the parasite enters the production environment and the most effective methods for preventing contamination.
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“So much confusion and misinformation has been circulating about the current Cyclospora outbreak,” said Tim York, President and CEO of the California LGMA, in the recent release. “Our goal was to bring together the best available science and provide the produce industry with practical, evidence-based information they can use today. Dr. McEntire is one of the nation’s leading experts on produce safety, and we wanted to make her expertise as widely available as possible.”
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York noted that a recording of the webinar is available on the California and Arizona LGMA website for anyone unable to attend the live presentation.
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Source: andnowuknow.com
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