Food safety in walnuts an ongoing concern

The issue of food safety in walnuts was raised with more than 200 growers at the UC Cooperative Extension Sutter/Yuba/Colusa Walnut Day this week, according to an article in the Appeal-Democrat of Yuba County.

"We want our crop to be perceived as healthy to consumers and we want to grow a safe crop, too," the story quoted conference speaker Jennifer Getz, the California Walnut Board domestic marketing director.

Consumers, farmers and regulators are concerned about E. coli and salmonella contamination in walnuts. The question, the article said, revolves around where pathogen problems begin and whether walnuts are susceptible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is stepping up inspections, and research and safety efforts are ongoing.

Increasing regulations in general is a significant challenge facing growers, Walnut Day participant Steven DeValentine told reporter Ashley Gebb. Regulations for environmental protection, worker safety and food safety raise expenses for farmers, he said, while food prices have been mostly stable the last 20 to 30 years.

According to the article, DeValentine said that he likes to attend the annual Walnut Day to stay on top of what is happening in his industry and he hopes budget cuts do not further impact research by the University of California.

"Without that we would not be able to maintain this competitive edge globally," DeValentine said.

A farmer admirers a walnut tree.

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