FDA releases initial findings of 5-year CA Central Coast environmental study

We are pleased to share the initial findings from a multi-year environmental study in 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.

Key Takeaways from the Study:

• Pathogen Presence: Researchers found evidence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in environmental water and sediment (rivers, creeks, tailwater), but very little in soil or air, and did not identify the reoccurring strain that had been associated with several outbreaks.
  
• LGMA Practices Affirmed: The findings reaffirm the importance of continuing to utilize existing LGMA standards (also called metrics), especially:
  • Environmental assessments
    • Adjacent and nearby land use
    • Assessment of CAFOs
    • Historical land use
    • Flooding
  • Buffer zones for identified risks
  • Buffers around any feces found in or near the growing area

• Next Steps: The California LGMA is committed to continually updating its science-based food safety practices and will use the full details of this extensive sampling study to further enhance our metrics if needed.

We are grateful to the FDA, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and the UC Davis Western Center for Food Safety for their work on this important initiative. We also want to acknowledge the efforts of our members over the past 19 years, implementing the LGMA standards to provide the safest serving of leafy greens possible.