CALIFORNIA - In the wake of this week’s numerous updates, namely from government agencies in the U.S. and Canada, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) compiled all that the ongoing investigations have uncovered regarding the concurrent E. coli outbreaks that may be associated with leafy greens.
“This news should not have an impact on the supply chain, as the Salinas growing region stopped harvesting romaine in November,” April Ward, Marketing Communications Director, shared with the team when asked the most important thing for the industry to know.
According to a press release, the LGMA emphasized the following key points:
- Illnesses associated with current outbreaks are all in a similar time frame with the most recent onset date being mid-November
- Products implicated in current outbreaks are past their best by dates and should no longer be available for sale
- The most likely item associated with current outbreaks is romaine from Salinas
- The Salinas growing region is no longer harvesting or shipping romaine
- Romaine harvested in other growing regions is not included in any current consumer advisory, nor is any other leafy greens variety
- Leafy greens producers are voluntarily labeling all products containing romaine with information on the growing region and harvest date in an effort to assist consumers in their buying decisions
“We realize detailed information is critical to learning what can be done to prevent future outbreaks,” the LGMA said in a statement. “We continue to work with government agencies to learn all we can about these outbreaks so that our food safety practices can be improved to prevent future illnesses. As always, our thoughts are with those whose lives have been impacted in these outbreaks.”
As more updates come to light in the ongoing investigation, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
