Sludge Watch ==> Salinas CA - only 72/98 growers sign veg safety pledge

[Maureen Reilly]

KSBW-TV—Monterey, CA

Vegetable Growers Aim To Boost Buyer Confidence

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KSBW-TV
6:05 p.m. PDT April 9, 2007

SALINAS, Calif. - More and more California companies are joining a marketing 
agreement to give consumers the confidence to buy leafy greens again. The 
agreement -- also called the "seal of approval" -- was introduced a few 
months after the deadly E. coli outbreak.

Organizers said a total of 72 our of the 98 California vegetable handlers 
have voluntarily signed the marketing agreement, which offers a pledge to 
follow a set of new guideless.

Local handlers will meet Tuesday with the state to go over how the agreement 
works before inspections begin in the spring.

Once they do begin, any leafy green bearing the seal denotes safe handling, 
shipment and sale. The guidelines also keep tabs on all systems and prove 
more thorough inspections.

This idea was introduced in January, but it might be several months before 
leafy greens will be branded with the seal, said organizers.

Organizers said the marketing agreement could help prevent another E. coli 
outbreak.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18029429/

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