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FDA final guidance urges sanitation and supplier checks for fresh-cut produce
The FDA said its recommendations are not legally binding and focus on preventing outbreaks of pathogens including salmonella and cyclospora, which have reached 15 states in a major lettuce-linked event.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized guidance for the preparation and packaging of fresh-cut, ready-to-eat produce, urging processors to strengthen sanitation controls, verify suppliers, and use refrigeration to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, according to Insurance Journal.
The new guidance comes amid ongoing outbreaks of cyclosporiasis and salmonella tied to contaminated lettuce and jalapenos, which have sickened thousands of people in the United States. The cyclosporiasis outbreak, linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, has spread to 15 states, with Michigan described as the hardest hit.
The FDA said the recommendations are intended for manufacturers and processors handling items such as chopped lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, diced onions, shredded carrots, coleslaw mixes, and fruit salads. The agency highlighted contamination risks from pathogens including salmonella, cyclospora, E. coli, and listeria and recommended processors assess whether these pathogens pose a potential hazard and require preventive measures, including supply-chain controls.
Among the guidance points, the FDA urged use of safe water, washing with antimicrobial solutions, training personnel, and designing facilities to lower contamination risk. It also noted that cyclospora may require additional supply-chain controls because wash-water antimicrobials may not adequately control it, and research on how fresh produce becomes contaminated with cyclospora is ongoing.