Objective(s):
The objectives of this workshop are 1. to promote research and extension on food safety of the fresh produce industry; 2. to provide the science framework on food safety for vegetable production and handling; and 3. to increase the vegetable industry's awareness on food safety.

Food safety is critical to vegetable producers, handlers, and consumers. Any outbreak of foodborne illness may cause severe public health problems. In the US, there are more than 9 million cases of food borne illness including severe outbreaks attributed to Cyclospora cayetanensis every year. These cases of food borne illness can be signbificantly reduced or minimized if vegetable producers, hanlers, and consumers get trained on the basics of food safety to prevent contamination on fresh produce and understand the  Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines. The workshop will provide three presentations to review some of the current advances in Cyclospora outbreaks; intensive field level fresh produce safety programming, and the national implementation of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).