News

20 Years After the 2006 Spinach Outbreak: How Science and Standards Transformed Leafy Green Safety

On August 12, 2026, California LGMA staff were pleased to host an educational farm tour in the Salinas Valley for FDA fresh produce safety staff. The goal of the tour was to get FDA staff familiar with the Salinas Valley, with a special focus on the LGMA’s food safety standards that LGMA members use in their operations.

With the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak, many consumers, restaurants, and grocery stores are concerned about the safety of their produce and its origin. The California LGMA would like to assure the public that California lettuce and leafy greens are in full production and are not associated with the ongoing outbreak.

California continues to maintain one of the safest food supplies in the world, with no cyclosporiasis outbreak in the state and reported cases remaining lower than they were at this time last year.

Statement on the current Cyclospora outbreak

We are pleased to share the initial findings from a multi-year environmental study on California’s Central Coast, conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This research reinforces the effectiveness of the food safety practices required by the California LGMA and provides valuable data to further strengthen our program.