On November 4, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a letter to California lettuce growers, shippers, and processors regarding safety concerns with lettuce from the Salinas Valley of California, after the recent E. coli bacteria outbreak.
In response, industry representatives from the Alliance for Food and Farming, the International Fresh-cut Produce Association, PMA, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Western Growers Association, and lettuce shippers met immediately with Dr Robert Brackett of the FDA's Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition during PMA's Fresh Summit 2005.
During the meeting, FDA and the industry agreed to future meetings on the Salinas lettuce safety issue and began to identify research priorities.
Industry members reiterated that providing safe, wholesome products to consumers is their top priority. They also stated that they are working jointly with university scientists and government officials to take whatever steps are necessary to minimise risk and prevent future outbreaks.
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