In the news

Joan Murphy reported that DR. Gottlieb FDA Commissioner expressed the frustration of regulators for not yet identifying the source of the romaine lettuce outbreak. He implied that they are moving closer to solving the problem. He said: “We hopefully will have more to say very soon about that. We certainly want to figure this out before the next growing season starts.”Today FDA detects outbreaks more easily due to whole genome sequencing. He promised that the FDA is developing a policy to name locations selling recalled products. As for farm inspections Gottlieb claimed that the FDA wants to get resources to states “to take on more of the responsibility for conducting inspections required under FDA, and we would in time reorient our inspection force to do more overseas inspections,” “.. if FDA assures them that those people who export food to the United States are subject to the same regulations as our producers, that would give them a lot more confidence and help” to compete in the global marketplace, he said. @ https://iegpolicy.agribusinessintelligence.informa.com/PL216648/Gottlieb-talks-lettuce-outbreak-FSMA-definition-of-milk-at-FDA-meeting

The joint goal of this effort is to improve fresh produce safety and streamline the requirements of the USDA’s Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Audit Program (H-GAP) with the requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act’s produce safety rule. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb sends a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in which he said that the two programs aren’t the same, but the H-GAP audits are another tool farmers can use to show buyers they’re implementing food safety standards under the produce rule. The new policy, Gottlieb wrote, “will further help farmers by enabling them to better assess their food safety practices as they prepare to comply with the FSMA Produce Rule and by providing produce farmers with certifications that they can use to help gain market access.” This alliance between FDA and USDA. Should help producers meet federal regulatory requirements @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm609830.htm

FoodLogiQ CEO Dean Wiltse said: “As a technology pioneer with a legacy of success in enhanced traceability, FoodLogiQ will be taking the lead on blockchain exploration within the food space,”. The group will explore the opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology within the food industry. FoodLogiQ Chief Technology Officer Charles Irizarry said that “We are finding that companies are jumping into blockchain pilots without first understanding their business problems. We look forward to working with current and future blockchain pilot partners to help them navigate this complex landscape and collaborate on how blockchain can support their unique business.” @ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foodlogiq-announces-blockchain-pilot-alongside-industry-leaders-300660418.html

Oasis won the Grand prize among some 60 applications submitted to the fourth annual Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Water Innovation Prize competition for its simple, inexpensive test for detecting E. coli. The test uses the development of color in a liquid media to determine if and how contaminated the water is. The assay showed 98% specificity when compared to the standard filtration method, with a limit of detection of 1 colony/100 ml of water. The self-contained disposable retails for $2.99. “The kit includes two plastic bags (one large and one small), that are pre-loaded with a specialized E. coli powdered media. Users fill the tube (large volume) and its cap (small volume) with drinking water and then pour the water in the respective bags. The bags turn orange when dissolved in the water sample,” Explains Bir Oasis founder. “Results are interpreted by the color of the bags after 48 hours if they are kept at ambient temperature, or 24 hours if incubated at 37 degrees Celsius,” Bir notes. “We’ve given it to children in India, where there’s no access to education, and, just by following the instructions, they’ve been able to perform the test.”
@ https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/color-test-for-e-coli-captures-coveted-grand-prize/?elq_mid=27845&elq_cid=10195538
More information can be found @ https://www.oasiswatertest.com/