Basic Introduction to Mushroom Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invites the public to register for a webinar on basic mushroom growing, harvesting, holding, and packing activities under the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Part 112.1.

The webinar will focus on growing, harvesting, packing and holding practices for the most common types of mushrooms, white and button. Due to recent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses linked to specialty mushrooms internationally and FDA’s Strategies to Help Prevent Listeriosis and Salmonellosis Outbreaks Associated with Imported Enoki and Imported Wood Ear Mushrooms, specialty mushrooms will also be covered during the presentation.

Guest speakers will include:
• Kristin Esch, Produce Safety Expert, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), FDA (Moderator)
• John Pecchia Ph.D., Mushroom Research Center and Spawn Laboratory in the Department of Plant Pathology, Penn State University
• Maria Gorgo-Simcox, Food Safety, IPM and Water Quality Extension Educator & Affiliate Instructor, Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Penn State University
• Wendy Read, Food Safety Inspector, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture