SALINAS, CA -- Health officials and the fresh produce industry are awaiting further word about the cause of an episode in Washington state where 10 people were sickened by an E. coli O157:H7 infection between mid-May and May 29.

Though inconclusive, Washington state health officials have pointed to Romaine lettuce as a possible source of the E. coli.

WASHINGTON -- Baja California tomato shippers were hoping to start shipping product to the United States as early as June 16 as businesses rushed to draw up certificates and other paperwork to meet the Food & Drug Administration's condition for adding the Mexican state to its all-clear list.

Indiana, New Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, have been cleared by the Food & Drug Administration regarding the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak associated with tomatoes.

As the June 16 issue of The Produce News was going to press, the Salmonella situation relating to tomatoes was still very unsettled, but growers, shippers, wholesalers and retailers were optimistic that normalcy would soon return to the marketplace.

Gary Margolis, president of Gem Tomato & Vegetable Sales Inc. in Boca Raton, FL, was reached at his Arkansas facility June 11 as his firm was about to begin nationwide shipping of this year's tomato crop.

At Dandrea Produce Inc. in Landisville, NJ, the next generation has arrived, and the newest member of the family-run operation is bringing energy and enthusiasm to its recently launched line of organic items.

PHILADELPHIA -- The North American Perishable Agricultural Receivers organization will no longer be a branch of the Food Marketing Institute. But Patrick Davis will remain the president of NAPAR, and the association representing the interests of produce wholesalers will continue to operate from the Arlington, VA, offices of FMI.

With the change, Mr. Davis is no longer an employee of FMI, but he will be a consultant to FMI, with the responsibility of managing FMI's strategic initiatives share group.