AP: Cleanliness of Produce Draws New Attention

[Eugene]

Cleanliness of Produce Draws New Attention

By KEVIN FREKING
The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 19, 2006; 2:07 AM

WASHINGTON -- Leafy vegetables are the second leading source of E. coli infections
in the United States, behind ground beef, but the government relies primarily on
voluntary safety steps by farmers and packagers to prevent outbreaks.

The cleanliness of fresh produce is drawing new attention amid reports that tainted
spinach has been found recently in 21 states, killing at least one person and sickening
more than 100 others. A second death was under investigation.

Some consumer groups believe the government should do more to regulate farming and
packaging, including the quality of water used for irrigation, the application of manure
and sanitary facilities used by workers.

"The safeguards are not in place to protect fruits and vegetables in the same way
that they are for beef and poultry," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, food-safety director
at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/19/AR2006091900078.html

[wiley]

1. Thanks!

Republican Greed strikes again.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. How do we do that, though. Meatpacking plants...

are finite and we still don't inspect properly, so how do we inspect all the farms, markets, and distibution routes? Or the imported vegetables?

I remember years ago when Cesar Chavez was talking about the lack of outhouses in the fields. Workers would simply take a dump out there rather than walking the mile or so to a toilet. Even with outhouses, how many lettuce pickers would or could wash their hands?

It's a real problem, but I can't think of any real solution.

Oh, and throwing terrorism in there? Wotta a bullshit cheap shot. What the hell are the terrists going to do-- spread more shit in the fields than the pickers already do?

For now, I'll just cook my spinach, thengyouverramuch.