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Posts By: Sonia Salas

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Traceability Requires Accountability Across the Entire Supply Chain

The more I learn about traceability implementation, the more I realize that no single segment of the supply chain can make traceability successful on its own; success depends on coordinated efforts from farm to fork. Western Growers recently submitted comments highlighting a gap in the Traceability Rule involving entities that coordinate the movement of food but do not take physical…

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FDA Seeks Input on Traceability Flexibilities

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a discussion paper entitled “Identifying Additional Flexibilities for Satisfying the FTR’s Lot-Level Tracking Requirements” to support stakeholder engagement on potential flexibilities across the supply chain. The document outlines several concepts under consideration and seeks stakeholder feedback to help inform future…

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House Committee Advances Bill to Expand FDA Authority Over Unsafe Food Imports

The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently advanced the bipartisan Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715) by a unanimous 43–0 vote. If enacted, the legislation would authorize FDA to destroy imported food products that have been refused entry and determined to pose a significant public health concern. Supporters argue the bill would help prevent "port shopping," or…

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FDA Seeks Input on Traceability Flexibilities

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a discussion paper intended to support stakeholder engagement on potential flexibilities related to the Food Traceability Rule's lot-level tracking requirements. The document outlines several concepts under consideration and seeks stakeholder feedback to help inform future implementation discussions. Comments are due July 15,…

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FDA’s Traceability Rule Pilots to Support Readiness are Announced

The Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) has announced the launch of three industry pilot programs developed to help food businesses assess and strengthen their readiness for FDA's Food Traceability Rule, which takes full effect on July 20, 2028.  As a public-private partnership bridging industry and the FDA, PFT advanced the design these pilot frameworks to give organizations a…

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Food Traceability Rule Updates: FDA Discussion Paper Released and Stakeholder Engagement Opportunities

On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a discussion paper to encourage more detailed stakeholder engagement on potential flexibilities related to the lot-level tracking requirements under the final Food Traceability Rule, “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods.” The paper outlines key topics and questions intended to guide…

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Mourning the Loss of Vicki Scott

On May 20, 2026, the fresh produce industry lost a truly influential leader whose impact extended far beyond Arizona and touched many across the industry. Vicki Scott played a leadership role in advancing solutions to address food safety and regulatory issues impacting the fresh produce industry, helping shape a more collaborative approach grounded in both science and practical…

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FDA Releases Vision on Food Safety Best Practices and Collaboration 

Food safety is a shared responsibility—a message the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) underscored in its recent Constituent Update. As part of FDA’s Human Foods Program 2026 Priority Deliverables, the FDA released two new web resources designed to support a prevention-based approach to food safety and strengthen collaboration across the food system.  One resource…

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Updated National Cantaloupe and Netted Melon Best Practices Guidance Document and Appendices Now Available

The updated national cantaloupe and netted melon best practices guidance document and supporting appendices are now available. The previous version of the document was released in March 2013, and this latest update reflects current practices, stakeholder input and ongoing industry efforts to support produce safety through practical, prevention-focused approaches. The effort to initiate the…

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FDA Fresh Cucumber Sampling Assignment: Important Update for Members

Western Growers staff has learned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be conducting a cucumber sampling assignment over the next few months, impacting both domestic and foreign raw whole fresh cucumbers. Sampling is expected to take place at the retail and distribution supply chain level and at ports of entry from May 4, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026. This assignment will focus on…

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Food Protection Trends Article on Agricultural Water Risk Assessment Now Published 

A peer-reviewed article on agricultural water risk assessment, developed by Western Growers Science in collaboration with several contributors, has been published in the May/June 2026 Food Protection Trends, offering practical insights to support growers as they continue to work through implementation of the current agricultural water requirements.  On May 6, 2024, the U.S. Food and…

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Industry-Driven Best Practices: Growing Engagement, More to Come 

Before formal government guidance existed, the produce industry was already advancing food safety best practices. In 1997, in collaboration with partner trade associations, Western Growers released a foundational food safety best practices document, setting the stage for the government guidance that followed in 1998 and establishing that a prevention-focused approach is the smartest approach to…

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What a Recent Mango Outbreak Reveals About Traceability and Import Oversight

Did you see the recent Food Safety News article on the mango-linked Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak? It raises several important points, but what stands out most to me is the need to strengthen both traceability and the effectiveness of foreign supplier verification programs. When Traceability Falls Short The article states that “Problems with traceback caused the outbreak investigation to…

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Registration is Open for FDA Town Halls on Food Traceability Rule Implementation

Western Growers joined the Partnership for Traceability (PFT) to help drive greater coordination across the food industry as stakeholders continue to implement the FDA’s FSMA 204 Food Traceability Rule. Given the rule’s impact across diverse stakeholders, broad representation from all segments of the supply chain is essential. If you haven’t heard, PFT and FDA will host two virtual town…

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Your Voice Matters: Submit Feedback on FDA Food Traceability Guidance Before May 21

The Food Traceability Final Rule under FSMA Section 204(d) compliance date was originally scheduled for January 2026, but it was extended to July 2028. Under the FDA’s 2026 federal funding legislation, no appropriated funds may be used to enforce the rule until July 2028, provided the FDA meets specific conditions. On February 19, 2026, FDA issued updated Questions & Answers guidance…

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Multi-Year FDA Study Provides New Insights to Advance Produce Safety in California’s Growing Region

New findings from a five-year federal study are offering fresh insights into how foodborne pathogens move through California’s Central Coast growing region and what it means for produce safety. On March 5, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared initial findings from its California Longitudinal Study (CALS), launched in 2020, to better understand the environmental factors…

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Protecting FSMA Education & Outreach: Investing in Prevention

Western Growers’ Science and Federal Affairs teams continue to work closely with allied trade associations to strengthen funding for food safety education and outreach. These efforts remain the most cost-effective tools for improving produce safety and advancing FSMA’s prevention-based framework. Recent funding fluctuations have highlighted vulnerabilities in the national education and…

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New Report Examines Imported Produce Oversight 

The Western Growers Science team recently released a report that examines how imported fresh produce is regulated relative to domestic production and identifies opportunities to strengthen oversight of foreign suppliers. The analysis highlights structural gaps in inspection frequency, reliance on importer-based controls under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) and limited…

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FDA Human Foods Program 2026 Priorities: What They Mean for Fresh Produce

The FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP) recently released its 2026 Priority Deliverables, outlining a broad set of activities focused on food safety, nutrition, prevention and public health. The priorities span a wide range of topics, including contaminants in food, microplastics, the Closer to Zero initiative and other emerging scientific and regulatory issues. For the fresh produce industry,…

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GAO’s FSMA Findings: What They Mean for the Fresh Produce Industry

In January 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report to Congress evaluating how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is implementing the preventive framework under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) — the landmark law intended to shift the U.S. food safety system from reacting to foodborne illness to preventing it. Recent media coverage has largely…

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