Early Bird Registration is Open for the 100th Annual Meeting in Hawaii. Register by July 31.

Skip to main content
Search Open

Posts By: Sonia Salas

Filter by Date
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…

Visit Page
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,…

Visit Page
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…

Visit Page
Fresh Produce Sampling: Questions and Resources for Members

Ongoing fresh produce sampling conducted by government entities across some states has raised questions from fresh produce companies about what to expect and how to respond. To address common questions during these situations, we are releasing a Q&A resource that addresses commonly asked questions related to government-led sampling, including appropriate actions, documentation considerations…

Visit Page
FDA’s 2026 Funding Bill: What Does It Mean to You?

The newly released 2026 funding bill for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration makes clear that no funds may be used until July 2028 to enforce the Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204(d) Food Traceability Final Rule, provided several specific conditions are met. First, FDA is directed to engage quarterly with regulatory and other stakeholder entities to identify and implement additional…

Visit Page
Audit Fatigue Survey on Food Safety and Sustainability

Do you ever feel weighed down by too many audits? We want to hear from you. Western Growers is inviting fresh produce member companies to participate in a survey on audit fatigue. The survey explores issues fresh produce companies face every day when complying with buyer and regulatory food safety and sustainability programs. Our goal is to identify inconsistent and redundant food safety and…

Visit Page
From Oversight to Impact: Reflections from the 2025 Food Safety Consortium

"What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – C.S. Lewis This quote is a powerful reflection on perspective and perception. It set the tone for the keynote remarks and the discussions that followed. The keynote speaker, Dr. Emilio Esteban, former Undersecretary for Food Safety at USDA and now Chief…

Visit Page
Traceability Regulation: A Global Impact Beyond U.S. Borders

When it comes to food safety regulations, what happens in the United States does not stay in the United States. Companies that want to sell into the U.S. market must comply with U.S. regulations—regardless of where they operate. That is why the FDA’s Food Traceability Rule under FSMA 204 has global significance. Why This Matters for International Operations Traceability requirements…

Visit Page
FDA Publishes New Agricultural Water Resources

FDA Publishes New Agricultural Water Resources On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted additional materials to support growers, regulators, and other stakeholders in implementing the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR).  Specifically, the FDA has issued a Constituent Update, posted several frequently asked questions…

Visit Page
Building Global Readiness: Why FSVP Training Matters

At the recent 2025 NASDA Annual Meeting, a presentation on global trends in agriculture underscored predictions made more than a decade ago: by 2025, produce markets would be more global, more interdependent, and more complex. Today, those forecasts are a reality. Imports of key produce commodities have surged while U.S. production for some crops has declined, and nearly half of all fresh…

Visit Page
FDA Issues Letter on Recall Modernization

On July 9, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a letter outlining its vision to enhance product recall communications across the food industry. The agency emphasized the importance of streamlining how recalls are communicated with both the public and regulatory partners. While this notice is directed to the baby food industry, it is important to share. The letter highlights…

Visit Page
Cooperative Agreement Programs: How State–Federal Partnerships Strengthen Food Safety for Growers

Working with state departments of agriculture, universities and extension programs has given me a front-row seat to how cooperative agreement programs function in practice. To frame this story, I am starting with a few questions. What Are Cooperative Agreements? Cooperative agreements are a powerful tool for strengthening the U.S. food safety system. These partnerships between federal…

Visit Page
USDA Opens Public Comment Period on Reorganization Plan

Deadline: August 26, 2025 On August 1, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the opening of a 30-day public comment period on USDA’s proposed reorganization plan.  The plan, outlined in a July 24 memorandum, seeks to consolidate and optimize functions within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve effectiveness, enhance services, reduce bureaucracy…

Visit Page
CPS Report Release: 17 Years of Research Insights

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) aims to fund research, find solutions and fuel change in fresh produce food safety. Since 2007, CPS has funded 236 research projects across 49 institutions worldwide, investing over $43 million in food safety advancements. This week, CPS announced the release of a research report regarding 17 years of research findings. The report addresses the following…

Visit Page
Reshaping Regulatory Frameworks: Why Prevention is Essential for Continuous Improvement

In food safety, regulatory frameworks are critical for setting the baseline for compliance, defining clear expectations and ensuring accountability. However, true progress requires fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Frameworks must evolve beyond lists of requirements that encourage a checklist mentality—one that often falls short in driving meaningful, preventive food safety…

Visit Page
Western Growers and Fresh Produce and Floral Council Host Session on Traceability Regulation

On Friday, February 7, 2025, Western Growers and the Fresh Produce and Floral Council hosted an informational session on traceability regulation. The event offered valuable insights from industry leaders across the supply chain, covering both the progress made and the challenges faced in implementation. Sonia Salas, AVP of Science at Western Growers, presented an overview of FSMA…

Visit Page
Understanding FDA Recall Classifications

When FDA updates a recall classification, it is important to understand that such reclassifications are a standard part of the FDA’s recall process and do not necessarily indicate an escalation of risk. The FDA’s Recall Classification Process Recalls are actions taken by a firm to remove a product from the market and involve several steps: Initiation: A recall can be initiated by…

Visit Page
WG to Present at Fresh Produce Floral Council Meeting February 7

Western Growers members are welcome to attend the Fresh Produce Floral Council (FPFC) meeting to hear the latest information on the FSMA 204 Rule. This event will be hosted on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Western Growers office in Irvine, California. The event will feature Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President of Science at Western Growers, and address the…

Visit Page
Q&A: What You Need to Know About FDA Regulatory Inspections

Updated: 1/21/2025 1 ) What part of the FDA conducts food facility inspections? The enactment of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) expanded the FDA’s inspection authority significantly. Initially, FDA inspections of farms occurred mainly during foodborne illness investigations or findings of potential food adulteration. Now, inspections also include routine inspections and occur…

Visit Page
WG to Facilitate IAFP Discussion on Field Flooding Preparedness and Food Safety

On January 30, 2025, Sonia Salas, AVP of Science at Western Growers, will facilitate a panel discussion during the International Association for Food Protection's webinar on crop field flooding and its impact on food safety. This session will highlight recent research, key food safety considerations and best practices for managing and preparing for flooding events. Recent and ongoing weather…

Visit Page
Load More