
Episode #35
Is My Produce Safe? What Recalls Really Tell Us
Food safety headlines can make consumers wonder: Is our fresh produce safe to eat? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with Eric Stevens, Ph.D., and Christina Ferreira, Ph.D., of the International Fresh Produce Association about how the U.S. food safety system responds to outbreaks and recalls—and what happens behind the scenes to protect consumers. They take a closer look at Cyclospora, a parasite that can be difficult to detect and investigate and explain why outbreaks tend to occur more often during the summer months. They also discuss how investigators identify potential food sources, and why an outbreak linked to lettuce doesn't mean lettuce—or fresh produce in general—is unsafe What We Cover • Produce safety: What outbreaks and recalls really tell us about the food safety surveillance system • The farmer impact: How food safety concerns and recalls affect growers and the specialty-crop industry beyond the identified areas. • Food Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility: Why safe food handling knowledge extends from table to everyone’s kitchen. From farm to table, food safety is a shared responsibility and communication from public health officials matters—that communication paired with understanding how the system works can help consumers make informed choices with confidence. Guests: Christina Ferreira, Ph.D. Vice President of Food Safety & Quality, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and Eric Stevens, Ph.D., Vice President of Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Social Media: Christina Ferreira: LinkedIn Eric Stevens: LinkedIn International Fresh Produce Association: LinkedIn X Facebook Instagram Resources: http://www.freshproduce.com






