Featured Resources
Task Force Works to Keep Produce Safe and Profitable in North Carolina
When the scare about possible Salmonella contamination in tomatoes broke in June 2008, North Carolina growers worried. They were concerned that newscasts would lead consumers to believe that all tomatoes were implicated when, in fact, tomatoes grown in North Carolina were not implicated nor part of the recall.
New Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer May Minimize Viral Transmission, Including Norovirus 
Science Daily, EurekAlert! reports a newly developed ethanol-based hand sanitizer may significantly impact public health by minimizing the transmission of multiple viruses, including norovirus, from food handlers and care providers. The researchers from the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and N.C. State University, Raleigh report their findings in the August 2008 issue of the journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Cleaning Methods for Fresh Produce
As concerns grow over the use of chlorine washing, studies look into alternative ways to clean fresh produce to remove potentially threatening micro-organisms. Published in Horticulture Week, June 2008.
Outbreak Linked to Spinach Forces Reassessment of Food Safety Practices 
While the risk of contracting a food-borne illness from eating spinach is low, spinach and leafy greens have been associated with numerous outbreaks due to contamination with E. coli O157:H7. Many growers have adopted voluntary Food and Drug Administration guidelines (Good Agricultural Practices) to reduce the risk of microbial contamination. This 2007 report from the [...]
Water Analysis Cost Share Program
The purpose of this program from NCDA&CS is to encourage water testing as part of a pre- and post-harvest food safety program for fruit and vegetable crops. The program will assist in paying for the cost of testing irrigation and/or packing house wash water.
