LGMA Updates Requirements to Improve Safety of Leafy Greens

California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Board has adopted additional requirements to reduce risk when it comes to water used in growing lettuce and leafy greens,  These new standards are "in direct response to investigations conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into last year’s e. Coli outbreak involving romaine lettuce."

The main action is to no longer allow the use of untreated surface water for overhead irrigation of leafy greens prior to harvest.    While the "LGMA program has always required growers to test their water because it can be a carrier of pathogens", the new requirements will now include additional safeguards including:  'categorizing the source of the water; considering how and when water is applied to the crop; conducting testing to assure the water is safe for the intended use; sanitizing water if necessary; and verifying that all of the above precautions have been taken.'

"The LGMA’s food safety practices meet, and often exceed, what is required under federal Produce Safety Rule regulations for other produce crops."

Perishable News
https://www.perishablenews.com/produce/leafy-greens-marketing-agreement-adopts-new-more-stringent-food-safety-practices-to-prevent-outbreaks/
Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Adopts New, More Stringent Food Safety Practices to Prevent Outbreaks
April 22, 2019

Better Understanding Needed on Use of Oilfield Water to Irrigate Crops in Drought Stricken California

Questions are being raised about the use of  water from oilfields for irrigation water in California.  California has been in a drought since 2011 and community water systems have had to utilize more of this reclaimed water.  Unfortunately for the fruit industry, activists have publically decried certain brands / producers without much information to support claims.

Clearly, there needs to be more transparency on actual use as well as more knowledge about the actual risks.  One question - why was an extensive study not already completed by a government agency sooner?