tamination events, correlated with weather events. This model, if proven, could
be used by the growing and processing communities to increase mitigation practices at specified times.
This project has just officially been launched between Earthbound and the
FDA. After months of negotiation to make sure that all parties were appropriately
protected, an agreement was reached and data has begun to change hands. The
goal is to go through several data sets, representing periods of time, and input
them into the risk model. After a set is
submitted, the risk model will be tested
to assess its relevance. Then the research
team will make some adjustments to the
tool and input another set of data. Then
another round: review, revise and add
more data. And so on until the tool is as
good as it gets. Once completed, this tool
may be used by growers and processors
around the world to help identify the
risks and control or mitigate those risks
and ultimately deliver a safer product to
the consumer.
Overall, the spinach outbreak has inspired Earthbound to look outside the
confines of traditional thinking to find many ways to reduce the risk of foodborne
illness, living up to its mission to “serve as a catalyst for positive change every day.” o
Working with NASA and FDA, Earthbound’s
testing data is being linked with satellite
weather data in an effort to correlate contamination risks with weather events.
Earthbound Farm (continued from page 37)
Will Daniels is senior vice president of operations and organic integrity for Earthbound Farm. As the leader of Earthbound Farm’s industry-leading food safety program, Daniels has presented at meetings of the National Academy of Sciences, the
National Restaurant Association, the Institute of Food Technologists and the International Association for Food Protection. He has also been featured in The New
York Times, and on ABC’s Good Morning America; and is the author of a chapter, “Effectively
Managing through a Crisis,” in the book Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce. In addition, Daniels
serves on the editorial advisory board for Organic Processing Magazine and is also on the board
of directors for California Certified Organic Farmers and the California Leafy Greens Marketing
Agreement. He is on numerous technical committees with California’s and Arizona’s LGMA, the
United Fresh Produce Association, the UC Davis Center for Produce Safety and the Organic Trade
Association. Daniels can be contacted at WDaniels@ebfarm.com.
Clifford M. Coles is the founder and president of California Microbiological Consulting, Inc. He has authored and co-authored several publications related to quality control and microbiological issues in the food industry. He conducts food
safety audits throughout the world for many nonorganic and organic companies,
including Multiple Organics and Earthbound Farm, and is a certified GMA-SAFE
auditor. He is a member of several corporate food safety committees and is the process authority for the Almond Board of California and a participating expert in FDA-sponsored food industry surveys. He can be contacted at cmlkcoles@aol.com.
References:
1. Pussanghera, J. 1996. San Jose Mercury News.
2. U.S. FDA News Release. 2011.
3. Centers for Disease Control. 2012. Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga
toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) 4. Wang, T., and J. Scott. 1997. Escherichia
coli O157:H7 fact sheet. National Food Processors Association.
AUSTRADE Inc. ...................................................... 41
561.586.7145 • www.austradeinc.com
Bia Diagnostics, LLC.............................................. 21
802.540.0148 • www.biadiagnostics.com
Big Tree Organic Farms........................................ 45
209.669.3678 • www.bigtreeorganic.com
Ciranda, Inc. ........................................................... 17
715.386.1737 • www.ciranda.com
Florida Crystals/Domino Sugar ......................... 52
800.446.9763
www.dominospecialtyingredients.com
Freeline Organic Food.......................................... 25
+ 31.252.624.790 • www.freelineorganicfood.nl
Fruit d’Or............................................................... 49
www.fruit-dor.ca
Gillco Ingredients.................................................. 13
800.525.0732 • www.gillco.com
Global Organics, Ltd. ........................................... 10
781.648.8844 • www.global-organics.com
GloryBee Foods Inc............................................... 51
888.240.4586 • www.glorybeefoods.com
Grain Millers, Inc................................................... 31
800.232.6287 • www.grainmillers.com
International Foodcraft Corp. ............................ 51
908.862.8810 • www.intlfoodcraft.com
Marroquin Organic International.................. 7, 27
831.423.3442 • www.marroquin-organics.com
Motomco................................................................ 33
800.237.6843 • www.motomco.com
Natural Flavors/Elan ........................................... 39
973.589.1230 • www.flavor.com
Nexcel Natural Ingredients,
Div of Spectrum Foods......................................... 51
217.391.0091 • www.nexcelfoods.com
Once Again Nut Butter ..........................................1
www.onceagainnutbutter.com
Oregon Tilth.......................................................... 45
503.378.0690 • www.tilth.org
Organic Partners International, LLC .................. 11
503.445.1065 • www.organic-partners.com
Organic Trade Association.............................. 3, 48
413.376.1219 • www.ota.com
Organic Valley Family of Farms ........................... 5
888.444.MILK • www.organicvalley.coop
Savoury Systems International, Inc................... 19
888.534.6621 • www.savourysystems.com
San Francisco Herb & Natural
Food Company LLC ............................................... 51
800.227.2830 • www.herbspicetea.com
SK Food International.......................................... 37
701.356.4106 • www.skfood.com
Suzanne’s Specialties, Inc. .................................. 47
800.762.2135 • www.suzannes-specialties.com
Taylor Brothers Farms, Inc. ................................. 37
www.taylorbrothersfarms.com
The Organic Summit............................................ 46
www.theorganicsummit.com
Van Drunen Farms................................................. 51
815.472.3100 • www.vandrunenfarms.com
Wholesome Sweeteners........................................ 9
800.680.1896 • www.organicsugars.biz
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