Comprehensive Materials

The Federal Food Safety System The Congressional Research Service provides a primer on the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s food safety regulatory organizations.

Food Safety on the Farm Series
Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good handling practices (GHPs) encompass the general procedures that growers, packers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables should follow to ensure the food safety of their product. GAPs usually deal with preharvest practices, while GHPs cover postharvest practices, including packing and shipping. Developed by the University of Florida.

Food Safety Agencies and Authorities: A Primer
Several federal agencies, in cooperation with state governments, are responsible for regulating the safety of the U.S. food supply. This report describes the roles of the primary federal and cooperating state agencies responsible for food safety and enumerates the major legislative authorities currently governing them.

Iowa Extension Food Safety Project The Food Safety Project website was developed in 1995 by Iowa State University Extension Specialists as a way to share educational materials that give the public the tools they need to minimize their risk of foodborne illness and disseminate food safety information.

Pathogens

Bad Bug Book This FDA handbook provides basic facts regarding foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins. It brings together in one place information from the Food & Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service and the National Institutes of Health.

Recent Trends in Microbiological Safety of Fruits and Vegetables
Published research paper from the University of Georgia.

Surface Decontamination of Fruits and Vegetables Eaten Raw: A Review In-depth review of research conducted on pathogens associated with fresh produce, the biology of the microorganisms and treatment options from the World Health Organization.

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

Economics of Food Safety: The Case of Green Onions and Hepatitis A Outbreaks From the USDA, a case study of hepatitis outbreaks from green onions and a market analysis of the economic dynamics of food safety issues. Do producers with good safety practices attain higher prices in the marketplace?Outbreak Alert! Database The Center for Science in the Public Interest’s database includes only foodborne illness outbreaks where both the food and pathogen have been identified and currently has information on over 5,000 outbreaks.

Traceability

The Produce Traceability Initiative The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), sponsored by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Produce Marketing Association, and United Fresh Produce Association, is designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems for the future.

Traceability in the U.S. Food Supply: Economic Theory and Industry Studies
Research published on the current (2004) potential in the U.S. food system for traceability implementation.