Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
FDA’s Warning Shot For Leafy Greens
I hope it will serve as a call to urgent action that gets to the root of the problem of the persistent presence of dangerous E. coli in the growing environment for leafy greens and other fresh produce
FDA: E. coli Outbreak Investigation Closes; No Specific Source Found
Epidemiological and traceback investigations did not determine a specific leafy green, brand, or supplier, but the E. coli strain is genetically related to a strain linked to a fall 2019 outbreak from romaine lettuce
Indoor Farming Industry Gets Boost From COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a major shift in dining out and led many Americans to become more familiar with their kitchens than ever before
Indoor Farming Industry Gets Boost From COVID-19
Leading indoor farming companies, like BrightFarms, offer hydroponically grown, “cleaner than organic” packaged salads that results in a higher-quality product that consumers can trust
CDC Updates E. coli Outbreak Numbers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added 16 more people to an E. coli outbreak investigation of unknown origin
FDA Closes Investigations Into 2 E. coli Outbreaks; No Source Found
The Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 18 reported the investigations were completed, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced two of the three outbreaks were over
USA: Tanimura & Antle Recalls Romaine, Michigan Reports E. Coli Cases
“At Tanimura & Antle, food safety is a number-one priority and the company prides itself on its preventative measures,” according to the company’s notice posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. “It is unlikely that this product remains at retail establishments due to the shelf life of lettuce and the number of days that have passed.”
New Restrictions On Lettuce
Unprecedented federal import restrictions on romaine lettuce and salad mixes from California’s Salinas Valley point to problems in the U.S. agricultural system that supplies British Columbians with more than half their fresh vegetables, Canadian food safety researchers say
Canada Requires Romaine From Parts of California To Be Tested For E. Coli
Effective October 7, 2020, the CFIA will require importers to either provide proof that romaine lettuce destined for import into Canada does not originate from counties in the Salinas Valley, or provide an official certificate of analysis from an accredited laboratory confirming that the lettuce has below-detectable levels of E. coli
Canada To The U.S.: Keep Your Romaine Lettuce
Beginning this week, leafy greens growers in America’s Salad Bowl will have a much harder time shipping to Canada—after food safety officials up north imposed new, strict restrictions on romaine lettuce imports in an effort to stave off potential E. coli outbreaks this fall
Lettuce Linked To 40 E. Coli Outbreaks In A Decade – Most Related To Romaine
Of outbreaks linked to a specific leafy green — rather than a mix — 54% were linked to romaine. Spinach and iceberg lettuce were each linked to 17% of the outbreaks, and cabbage, green leaf, and kale were each linked to 4%
Disease-Causing Bacteria Can Grow on Hydroponic Microgreen Mats
Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes are two bacteria that can make you sick when eating contaminated produce. It turns out, some microgreen grow mats might be a breeding ground for these bacteria
Safe, Not Sorry
There are certainly many reasons why agriculture is making a big move indoors. It can be argued that CEA offers more local and sustainable food production and that it requires less water than field growing and doesn’t impact topsoil or lead to erosion
Another E. coli Outbreak – A New Solution to Help
Another continent-wide romaine lettuce recall from an outbreak of E. coli is underway with 67 people reported sick in 19 states