Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Reports Multiple Efforts Underway to Prevent Future Leafy Greens Outbreaks
CALIFORNIA - With the conclusion of the E. coli outbreaks associated with the Salinas, California, region, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA), alongside the leafy greens community, government regulators, and other key industry leaders, is increasing its efforts to prevent future outbreaks. 
"Foodborne illness outbreaks have a significant and devastating impact on consumers who put their trust in our products," said Scott Horfsall, CEO of the LGMA. "Members of the LGMA take our responsibility to produce safe food very seriously and work to make improvements is well underway."
In a recent press release, Horsfall explained the LGMA has appointed industry experts to serve on a series of new subcommittees to address specific areas involved in the production of leafy greens.
Additional work is also being done, including ensuring the implementation of LGMA requirements on thousands of farms. These farms produce over 90 percent of the leafy greens grown in the U.S., making it crucial that all standards are met and requirements upheld. Government auditors help verify growers are following the new practices through mandatory government audits, which, according to a press release, no other food safety program in the world has this capability.
As the LGMA continues its efforts to help understand how future outbreaks can be prevented and contained—efforts that can be explored here—AndNowUKnow will continue to work alongside our industry’s advocates to join the fight championing food safety.
