The Northwest tree fruit industry is taking a proactive stance on food-safety issues with the launch of the Pacific Northwest Food Safety Committee this summer. The committee was formed by tree fruit shipper associations in Oregon and Washington and is staffed by the Northwest Horticultural Council. Deborah Carter, technical issues manager at the Hort Council, said food safety is a top issue for the fruit industry. Consumers are being bombarded with media coverage about potential hazards in foods, and the government is feeling pressured to address the public’s concerns. Speaking at Washington State University’s apple quality conference in August, Carter […]