Posts By: Sonia Salas
- All
- June, 2026
- May, 2026
- April, 2026
- March, 2026
- February, 2026
- January, 2026
- December, 2025
- November, 2025
- October, 2025
- September, 2025
- August, 2025
- July, 2025
- June, 2025
- May, 2025
- April, 2025
- March, 2025
- February, 2025
- January, 2025
- December, 2024
- November, 2024
- October, 2024
- September, 2024
- August, 2024
- July, 2024
- June, 2024
- May, 2024
- April, 2024
- March, 2024
- February, 2024
- January, 2024
- December, 2023
- November, 2023
- October, 2023
- September, 2023
- August, 2023
- July, 2023
- June, 2023
- May, 2023
- April, 2023
- March, 2023
- February, 2023
- January, 2023
- December, 2022
- November, 2022
- October, 2022
- September, 2022
- August, 2022
- July, 2022
- June, 2022
- May, 2022
- April, 2022
- March, 2022
- February, 2022
- January, 2022
- December, 2021
- November, 2021
- October, 2021
- September, 2021
- August, 2021
- July, 2021
- June, 2021
- May, 2021
- April, 2021
- March, 2021
- February, 2021
- January, 2021
- December, 2020
- November, 2020
- October, 2020
- September, 2020
- August, 2020
- July, 2020
- June, 2020
- May, 2020
- April, 2020
- March, 2020
- February, 2020
- January, 2020
- December, 2019
- November, 2019
- October, 2019
- September, 2019
- August, 2019
- July, 2019
- June, 2019
- May, 2019
- April, 2019
- March, 2019
- February, 2019
- January, 2019
- December, 2018
- November, 2018
- October, 2018
- September, 2018
- August, 2018
- July, 2018
- June, 2018
- May, 2018
- April, 2018
- March, 2018
- February, 2018
- January, 2018
- December, 2017
- November, 2017
- October, 2017
- September, 2017
- July, 2017
- May, 2017
- March, 2017
- January, 2017
- December, 2016
- October, 2016
- September, 2016
- July, 2016
- May, 2016
- April, 2016
- March, 2016
- February, 2016
- January, 2016
- December, 2015
- November, 2015
- October, 2015
- September, 2015
- August, 2015
- June, 2015
- May, 2015
- April, 2015
- March, 2015
- February, 2015
- January, 2015
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
CDFA Releases the California Agricultural Neighbors Report
On November 13, 2024, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the Monterey County Farm Bureau jointly released the highly anticipated report, “California Agricultural Neighbors: Building a Proactive Food Safety Culture.” The report addresses food safety challenges where different types of farming operations coexist in close proximity and outlines the next steps for…
FDA and EPA Announce First Registered Antimicrobial Product for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the successful registration of the first antimicrobial treatment for pre-harvest agricultural water, marking a significant milestone in pre-harvest water safety. “This registration, a landmark achievement in our collective efforts to improve food safety, marks the first ever approval of…
Food Safety, Food Security and Food Policy
“The political forum is just one more place where farmers’ power seems to be slipping away. Concomitantly, agriculture and food system outsiders’ influence over farm policy appears to be gaining ground.” – Ray A. Starling in Farmers versus Foodies: A Look at the Outside Forces Forging the Future of Farming and Food. Food safety, food security and food policy play a critical…