Cantaloupe safety & listeria: Produce industry sets meetings to develop guidelines for food safety

Produce industry leaders from across the nation have scheduled four regional meetings to develop guidelines to improve the safety of cantaloupe, according to the Produce Marketing Association.

Growers, buyers, auditors, academic experts and state and federal regulators are expected to attend the gatherings, which are open to stakeholders only. The intent is to address all operations within the supply chain and the diverse regions and processes in which netted melons are produced and handled.

Meetings are scheduled as follows: March 29-30, Phoenix, Ariz.; April 26-27, Western Growers Headquarters in Irvine, Calif.; May 30-31 in the Southeast; and June 20-21 in Denver, Colo.