Lingering effect of the E. coli outbreak in leafy greens
The Packer reports that green leaf suppliers start receiving requests from customers for guarantees that its lettuces and products were safe. Customers also demanded that the produce be tested by laboratories to assure lack of contamination. Producers have taken steps such as installing 13-foot fences and hiring a guard to walk around the crops at night. The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced in February on-farm inspections at large farms — those with $500,000 or more in sales — will start in April under guidelines going into effect this year to validate compliance with the Produce Safety Rule of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Another big issue for growers is the labor shortage. Growers are increasingly turning to the H-2A program to find workers, and taking housing into their own hands to supply workers with affordable places to live. @ https://www.thepacker.com/article/e-coli-outbreak-effects-linger-leafy-greens-growers?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTkdVM09XSTRNRFJtT1RnNCIsInQiOiI3NjZHZGJ3RXRudGUyQWVOMUtERGV5VnkyNE1NRHp3NytaNVgzRnFYY3h0c2huT0xzTlVMemxzK3NzXC9MTlhMY2VicGsyQzdwTnlhNk9NUitEcHRHRDlWUUtSSFwvUVFOSkdqSkd4N1duVzhLYWxFSzNUdGJUeFRDQWhpcjNDY0ptIn0%3D
E. coli outbreak effects linger for leafy greens growers
Vegetable growers of red and green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, cauliflower and broccolini, among other crops, is feeling a ripple effect from last year’s multistate E. coli outbreaks and subsequent recalls.
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