PLANT
CITY, Fla. — Florida strawberry growers learned how to prepare for
potential food safety crises and other industry issues.
The updates came during the Florida Strawberry Growers Association's Aug.
18-19 Agritech 2009 meeting.
While growers were preparing their fields for planting their winter
berries, Martha Roberts, University of Florida consultant and former state
agriculture deputy commissioner, urged growers to develop crisis plans.
“In those situations where people have had properly documented plans in
place that you trigger when something happens, you are given a lot of grace
and credit by the regulatory agencies,” Roberts said.
Roberts said she expects the Food and Drug Administration to release food
safety guidance for berries within the next year.
The FDA in July released guidance documents for tomatoes, lettuce and leafy
greens and melons, commodities that have had the most foodborne illness
outbreaks since 1996.
Berries, Roberts said, are fourth in that list.
Sue Harrell, the association’s director of marketing, gave an overview on
the industry’s marketing programs.
Harrell said the association plans to target consumers through media kits
and news releases sent to newspapers, magazines, as well as personal
appearances and interviews on radio and television.
She said the association also plans to work with retailers through a poster
for produce employees that displays handling information and marketing
tips.
A record 330 growers attended this year’s meeting, up from 295 last year,
Harrell said.
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