03/23/07 Bull test sale; fresh produce guidance

Washington Ag March 23, 2007 The 14th Annual Washington Cattlemen's Association sponsored WCA/WSU Bull Test Sale is coming up next Wednesday, March 28th. The sale begins at 12:30 p.m. at the WSU Research Center at Prosser. One Hundred sixty-eight bulls were on test this year, representing seven breeds. Only the top 75 percent of the bulls in each breed will sell based on the Test Final Station Index, structure, physical and breeding soundness evaluation. Prior to the sale on the evening of March 27th there will be a social hour and forum featuring Dr. Daniel Bernardo, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources at WSU. The social hour begins at six p.m. on the 27th. Due recent outbreaks of salmonella and e coli in fresh produce the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a new set of food safety guidelines for food processors and baggers of fresh produce. Doctor Nega Beru runs FDA's Food Safety office. Beru: "We have specific recommendations with respect to personal health and hygiene, training, building and equipment, sanitation operations and fresh cut produce production. And also include recommendations on record keeping in respect to recalls and trace backs." This FDA guidance is not mandatory, just voluntary. Full details are on the FDA website. I'm Bob Hoff. The Guide is accessible on the FDA Website at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/guidance.html