
ARS Holds Conference on Food Quality and SafetyBy Doris Stanley April
20, 1998USDAs Agricultural Research
Service will sponsor a symposium May 3-6 at the
Beltsville (Md.) Agricultural Research
Center to discuss research on foodborne pathogens. Beltsville Symposium
XXIII will focus on quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. This theme is especially timely and important because of the shifting
emphasis on marketing fresh produce, according to K. Darwin Murrell, ARS deputy
administrator. Since new dietary information encourages consumption of more
fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain health, scientists seek to ensure that
these commodities are high-quality and free of harmful microorganisms. In addition to ARS and industry participation, internationally known
scientists from Germany, New Zealand and major U.S. universities will present
their research on food quality and safety. Major topics of discussion will include food packaging, handling of
microbial populations and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
monitoring and control of microbiological hazards. Because of the importance of
quality as well as safety and shelf life of both whole and fresh-cut fruits and
vegetables, a significant part of the symposium will focus on measuring and
evaluating quality.
This is the 23rd year that ARS has hosted researchers, growers, processors
and consumers to discuss major issues that affect all aspects of agriculture.
The press is also invited. Symposium XXIII is co-chaired by lab director Kenneth
C. Gross and horticulturist Chien Yi Wang of the ARS
Horticultural Crops
Quality Laboratory in Beltsville. For additional information or to register for the symposium, contact
Kendra Jenkins, USDA, ARS, Bldg. 002, Room 117, 10300 Baltimore Avenue,
Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, phone (301) 504-6128, fax (301) 504-5107.
Scientific contacts: Kenneth C. Gross and Chien Yi Wang,
Horticultural Crops
Quality Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, phone (301) 504-6128, fax
(301) 504-5107, [email protected],
[email protected]. U.S. Department of Agriculture | |