In this email: Produce Safety Details You May Not Know

From the desk of

The Michigan Produce Safety Team

July 22nd, 2025

PRODUCE SPOTLIGHT:

Cucumbers

Micah Hutchison, Produce Safety Technician

Understanding Risks and Lessons from May's Outbreak

On May 25, 2025, the national news reported a recall involving fresh cucumbers linked to a Salmonella outbreak. So far, this outbreak has sickened 26 people in 15 states, including two cases here in Michigan. This outbreak was discovered during a follow-up inspection on a farm tied to last year’s Salmonella outbreak. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated problem as cucumbers have been connected to multiple outbreaks over the past few years.

Ground Water Discharge

Alison Work, Digital Media Designer

We've added some new information to an old video discussing EGLE's groundwater discharge and waste water permits. Note: this is related to a State of Michigan requirement, not a Produce Safety Rule requirement. Farms in other areas should check with their local regulations.

For questions, please contact Rachel Burns, Statewide Groundwater Coordinator, at BurnsR6@Michigan.gov or call 517-416-4073.

Watch the Video Here

Adding Sanitizer to Produce Wash Water

Landen Tetil, Produce Safety Technician

Do you use sanitizer in your produce wash water? Adding an antimicrobial product to your post-harvest water can provide several benefits to the overall quality of the produce. The decision of whether or not to add a sanitizer to post-harvest water, and which specific sanitizer to use, can depend on several factors.

Dropped vs. Drooped Produce

Allissa Conley, Produce Safety Technician and Alison Work, Digital Media Designer

"What is the difference between dropped and drooped produce?" Watch this video to learn what these terms mean, what the FDA considers dropped v. drooped, and more.

Watch Now

Worker Training Texting Service:

Free and easy supplemental training for farms

Supplement your worker training with produce safety text messages! Sign up for free to receive produce safety reminder texts once a week, in either English or Spanish. Supervisors may also opt in to receive a quarterly worker training recordkeeping report.

To sign up, text "Training" or "Capacitar" to (888)-531-2157.

Learn More

Interested in more? Here are some additional resources!

What else can you do to prepare for next season?

Complying with the Pre-Harvest Water Rule Short Course (With Certificate) →

This online course is specifically designed to help you understand the new FSMA Produce Safety Pre-harvest Water Rule Requirements - including how to conduct an Agricultural Water Assessment.

On-Farm Produce Safety Resource Library →

The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team website has a variety of produce safety resources.

How did you like this email?

Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team

1715 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49202 | MSU Extension MACD Produce Safety Technicians

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