Costco Considering New Safety Standards for its Melon Suppliers

In the midst of the food poisoning scare surrounding cantaloupe, Costco is calling for farmers and shippers to implement new safety measures. “I don’t think the cantaloupe industry can continue on doing the very same thing and expecting a different result,” Craig Wilson, the head of food safety for Costco, told the New York Times. The retailer is known for making strict safety demands on its suppliers.
 
Costco, ranked 28th in the Fortune 500, is the largest wholesale club operator in the United States—even ahead of Sam’s Club, owned by Wal-mart. Therefore, their position in the industry gives them considerable clout when it comes to making and enforcing their requirements.
 
“We have witnessed a lot of concern in the food industry over the Listeria outbreak in cantaloupe, and testing is an easy way for companies to demonstrate the safety of their food,” states Joseph Frasca, Senior VP at EMSL. “We provide food testing for a variety of pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, and can rush results if needed.”
 
 
For more information on EMSL’s testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com.
 
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical Inc. is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public. In addition, the company offers a large variety of air sampling equipment, sampling cassettes and monitoring equipment. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to AIHA IHLAP, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA ELLAP, A2LA, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX Department of State Health Services, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website for a complete listing of accreditations.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior VP of Marketing

EMSL Analytical Inc.

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com