In response to produce contamination outbreaks last year, California’s leafy greens industry is moving to implement safety procedures for growers and handlers. A marketing agreement in which handlers pledge to buy only from growers using good agricultural practices is already in the comment period, and a grower marketing order was scheduled to be released for comment in late January.
The handler agreement calls for an assessment of not more than 5 cents per carton. The money would be used for administration of the program, including research, inspection, process verification and audits. Handlers would be able to use a special label or mark to let consumers know their products were in compliance with the new safety standards. They also would have to maintain a trace-back system for all products sold.
The program applies only to California growers and handlers, but could be a sign of things to come in other states or nationally.