What’s Going On: Food Safety Proposal for California’s “Leafy Green” Growers

Hearing Set for Jan 12 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 10 am.

A “Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement” is being proposed by California Farm Bureau Federation and Western Growers as a means to “enhance uniform adherence to food safety practices”. The idea is to put agreed upon food safety practices in place and to create a system to verify these practices and an associated trace back system. The Best Practice and trace back system would be verified by a “county, state, or federal regulatory agency” which would be contracted by the board of the new marketing agreement.

Click on: www.cfbf.com/agalert

Under this proposal, a “certification mark” will be used by produce handlers to assure consumers that “Best Practices” have been followed. These handlers will be licensed to utilize the “mark”.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce (all kinds), endive, spring mix, spinach, cabbage, kale, agrula and chard.

It seems to me that this proposed action is very significant…both in its practical applications and in the precedents which it sets. I encourage all of you to watch this process closely….if you are qualified to participate, please jump in!

Thanks to California Farm Bureau, reporter Kate Campbell, Kampbell@cfbf.com

Food Safety: Tid-Bits

Chlorine Application Sites: Are your permits in place?

Gary Leary of GJL Environmental, Bakersfield, reminds us that all field chlorine sites require several types of permits and oversight procedures…including a permit for each chlorine site, a Hazardous Material Management Plan, clearance from the local fire department or county Environmental Health authority. Each gas chlorine site also requires a “chlorine blanket” even if the site is out of doors.

Jim Legari of Ag Water Chemical, Fresno reminds that most liability insurance carriers require notification if gas chlorine is to be used on their client’s property.

Food Safety driven “Best Practices” will almost certainly require some use of chlorine or one of the chlorine alternatives….AgriTec, Ozone, Peroxyacetic acid, etc. Better check your paper work!

Check your Permits….

Sanitizing Water in the Field….

Permitting services available….

Gary Leary, GJL Environmental, Bakersfield will help you with your permitting….you can reach him through our website…www.thedawsonco.com

Agri-Tech, Inc., Corona, CA can help you with Agri-Tec and Ozone generators…www.thedawsonco.com

Ag Water Chemical, Fresno, can help you with Agri-Tec algaecide/bactericide www.thedawsonco.com

Please give us a call if we can help you with any of these issues: we have technical expertise available for Agri Tec, chlorine, ozone and per oxy acetic acid! 909 957 0507

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ED LOUNDS: Southern Gentleman (and crackerjack Ag Chem Sales Professional!)

Ed Lounds has recently joined Best Sulfur Products, Fresno, CA!

Based in Fort Pierce , FLA, Ed’s job will be to develop business in the South Eastern United States.

Ed is coming from a very fine job well done with Brandt Consolidated’s operations in the South East.

Ed has thirty years experience in pre and post harvest chemical sales and service! 154 204

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All the Best for 2007!!

Art Dawson