U.S. failed to boost produce inspections

[cyberpj]

Source: AP

U.S. failed to boost produce inspections
By GARANCE BURKE
Associated Press Writer
Sep 12, 7:27 PM EDT

Gov't Didn't Act After E. Coli Outbreak

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) -- Government regulators never acted on calls for stepped-up inspections of leafy greens after last year's deadly E. coli spinach outbreak, leaving the safety of America's salads to a patchwork of largely unenforceable rules and the industry itself, an Associated Press investigation has found.

The regulations governing farms in this central California region known as the nation's "Salad Bowl" remain much as they were when bacteria from a cattle ranch infected spinach that killed three people and sickened more than 200.

AP's review of data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act found that federal officials inspect companies growing and processing salad greens an average of just once every 3.9 years. Some proposals in Congress would require such inspections at least four times a year.

In California, which grows three-quarters of the nation's greens, processors created a new inspection system but with voluntary guidelines that were unable to keep bagged spinach tainted with salmonella from reaching grocery shelves last month.

-more at link-


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SALAD_SAFETY?SITE=AZPHG&SECTION=HOME

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I took a look and didn't see this posted and since it was just released last night I thought it worthy of posting it here today.