Enhanced food safety practices

In collaboration with government and university specialists, organizations representing fresh-produce farmers and handlers have written enhanced food safety practices for the growing of leafy greens. Organizations cooperating in the project include California Farm Bureau Federation, Western Growers, Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association of Central California, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association.

The practices affect production of iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, baby leaf lettuce (i.e., immature lettuce or leafy greens), escarole, endive, spring mix, spinach, cabbage, kale, arugula and chard. The practices have been accepted by the Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement Advisory Board and may be viewed on the board Web site. The board will oversee inspections, conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, that verify compliance with the food safety practices.

The California Farm Bureau signed on as a proponent of a new National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. For more information, see www.caleafygreens.ca.gov. Our statement in support of the agreement can be found at www.ams.usda.gov.

More Information
Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement fact sheet