Food Safety Update: Pistachios
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Assembly Member Mike Feuer and State Senator Dean Florez announced sweeping legislation to require more extensive food safety testing, traceability and safety protocols in the food processing industry. On the heels of the salmonella finding in pistachios, the legislators contend that more stringent requirements are needed in California.
Senator Florez was on the local Sacramento NPR station this week touting the need for further food safety regulations and his desire to play a leadership role on this issue. A synopsis of Assembly Member Feuer’s language is listed under the Legislative Update section.
The FDA and the California Department of Public Health continue to investigate Salmonella contamination in pistachios and pistachio products. Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., Terra Bella, Calif., is voluntarily expanding its recall of roasted pistachios to include all lots of roasted in-shell pistachios and roasted shelled pistachios that were produced from nuts harvested in 2008. The firm is also recalling those raw shelled pistachios from the 2008 crop that are not subsequently roasted prior to retail sale. The pistachios may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Cal-Pure and Western Pistachio Association have created a website listing products that are not affected by the recall. You can visit it at: http://www.pistachiorecall.org/.
Cargo Securement, Exemption Extended for Additional Year
The exemption from Federal cargo securement regulations has been extended for intrastate agricultural commodity haulers, from the farm to the first point of processing. Safety tests have been conducted to determine the safest possible methods of transporting agricultural goods. Regulators at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are still collecting and processing this data. California Highway Patrol (CHP) has granted an extension to this exemption until Federal regulations are released, or until April 30, 2010, whichever comes first.
Agricultural commodity carriers who have already received the exemption will automatically receive the extension through April 30th 2010, provided they maintain their monthly reporting requirements to the CHP.
Carriers who would like to apply for the exemption should contact the CHP Commercial Vehicle Section at (916) 445-1865 attention Officer Ron Leimer. Application forms and monthly reporting forms are both available on the Ag Council website at http://www.agcouncil.org/issues/cargo-securement.
Under the authority contained in 13 CCR Section 1300(e), a request for extension of the exemption from the cargo securement regulations in 13 CCR is granted under the following conditions:
- All current and hereafter issued agricultural commodity cargo securement exemptions will remain in effect until 2359 hours on April 30, 2010, or upon implementation of the regulatory requirements, which are currently being reviewed by FMCSA.
- All other conditions as set forth in the original agricultural commodity cargo securement exemption dated June 15, 2007, remain in effect.
Specialty Crop Block Grants
CDFA has announced the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Up to $15 million is expected to be available to award grant amounts from $75,000 to $500,000 per project. Funding areas are as follows:
1. Agricultural Education and Outreach
2. Environmental Concerns and Conservation
3. Nutrition
4. Food Security
5. Food Safety
6. Plant Health and Pest Challenges
7. Market Enhancement and Promotion
8. International Trade
Eligible applicants generally include non-profit organizations, local, state and federal government entities, for-profit organizations, and universities for projects that aim to enhance the production of and access to California specialty crops. Grant funds may not directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Concept proposals are due April 22; full proposal should be solicited by June 4. More detailed information regarding the application process can be access through the CDFA web site at: http://cdfa.ca.gov.
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