Food Safety
Food Safety is a top priority for IVVGA. View the reasons why as filmed by Leafy Green Marketing Agreement.
The E. Coli outbreak in Fall , 2018, spring, 2019 and again in fall, 2019 is of serious concern to all the industry. The U. S. FDA has issued a 2020 STEC Action plan.
California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, an organization created to work with CDC and USFDA has provided the following statement to that action plan. Additional here is the link to what the industry has already done prior to the issuance of the 2020 STEC Action plan
The FDA’s 2020 Leafy Greens STEC Action Plan
The FDA has an unwavering commitment to advancing the safety of fresh leafy greens. Leafy greens are among the most widely consumed vegetables and an important part of an overall healthy diet. While millions of servings are consumed safely every day, this produce commodity has been implicated too often in outbreaks of foodborne illness, and we believe that FDA, along with…
FDA Outlines 2020 Action Plan to Help Advance the Safety of Leafy Greens
Fresh leafy greens are among the most widely consumed vegetables and an important part of an overall healthy diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is committed to working with the produce industry and government partners to help keep leafy greens safe for…
LGMA Press Response to FDA Action Plan
March 5, 2020 - The leafy greens farming communities in California and Arizona welcome any action that helps prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks associated with our products. We value the support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as detailed in its 2020 Leafy Greens Action Plan…
LGMA: Romain Lettuce Safety
In light of recent foodborne illness outbreaks involving romaine lettuce, the U.S. produce industry is taking action to prevent future illnesses with efforts underway to address the issue from several aspects.
E. Coli Outbreaks and Safety
The FDA is currently investigating a new outbreak of E. Coli. Information obtained so far indicates that sixteen people in several U.S. states are reporting illness and nine have been hospitalized. Public health authorities will not be identifying any specific food vehicle they believe to be associated with this outbreak, but it’s likely they may report the history of the outbreak strain because it is what they call a recurring emergent persistent (REP) strain. This strain is related to strains that have caused outbreaks in food (including lettuce) and an outbreak caused by contaminated water at a Northern California lake.
The California and Arizona LGMA’s are working closely with food safety experts and their produce association partners to learn more. LGMA is requesting a meeting with the FDA and CDC to gather additional information and to find out why authorities may be considering an announcement that will link this current outbreak to past outbreaks involving lettuce.
Food safety is a top priority for all IVVGA Members.