FDA Posts Update on Sampling Program for Avocados, Fresh Herbs
The Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 23 posted an update on its 2017-18 microbiological sampling program on processed avocados and guacamole and fresh herbs, including cilantro, basil and parsley. FDA announced the program in August, intending to collect 1,600…
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samples of each product. As of Jan. 1, FDA had collected 4.6% of its intended total of domestic samples of fresh herbs and 12.4% of its eventual number of import samples. None of the domestic samples had bacterial contamination, but FDA said four import samples of fresh herbs tested positive for salmonella and E. coli. For processed avocados and guacamole, on the other hand, three domestic samples tested positive for Listeria, while only one did from the import samples, with EPA having tested 6% to 7% of its eventual total samples for each. “It is important to note that no conclusions about overall contamination rates can be made until all of the data are collected, validated and analyzed,” FDA said. “The assignments are anticipated to last 18 months. The agency will post results on a quarterly basis and also post a comprehensive report once sampling and analysis is complete,” it said.