A new Center for Produce Safety has been established at the University of California, David, in the United States.

The centre will be housed at the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, itself formed as a partnership between private industry, government and academia to provide solutions to threats to food safety and security.

The project has received considerable financial backing from the industry, with $2m being contributed by the Produce Marketing Association and the same sum being put up by Taylor Farms of Salinas, California. Taylor Farms has also pledged to contribute $1m in research.

These donations will be supplemented by $200,000 of in-kind and cash contributions from the Western Growers Association, $500,000 from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and $150,000 from the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Secretary Kawamura of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, said: “The Center for Produce Safety will lose no time putting together an aggressive research, training and outreach agenda into how and when food-borne illnesses arise in produce, and actions that can be taken to reduce these risks.

“The industry’s actions will help restore consumer confidence and demonstrate that the health and safety of consumers is their ultimate priority.”