Farmer’s market food regulations similar to restaurants, grocery stores

A growing recall involving peaches and other fruit from California is raising food safety concerns across the country, and in Mid-Missouri.

After some tests came back positive for listeria, the Wawona company decided to pull its yellow and white nectarines, peaches, black plums, and pluots, including regular and organic brands.

A few nationwide chains already announced they’re taking action. Those are Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Aldi, and Trader Joe’s.

They could also be in other stores sold under the Wawona, Harvest Sweet, or Sweet 2 Eat label.

Listeria can cause miscarriages in pregnant women and symptoms could be delayed for months.

After this latest recall and new allegations about fast food places using expired meat from China, more people are turning their attention to local food sources as possible alternatives.

Markets like the Columbia Farmer’s Market connect growers to consumers with no third party, and therefore the assumption is there is less risk of contamination.

The Columbia Market’s safety regulations of the selling environment include prohibition of dogs and other pets, a requirement to allow all federal, state, and local rules concerning food handling, and an expectation that vendors must maintain a clean and healthy environment within their assigned area.

You can find a list of product codes of recalled food here.