Spinach harvest begins and then what

Spinach harvest is upon us in the Salinas Valley. Can we be confident of avoiding an outbreak linked to E. coli tainted spinach? This story from the Santa Cruz Sentinel looks at the issue of when marketing agreement standards will formally be in place.
From the story:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture said the measures — including monthly testing of irrigation water, keeping a closer tab on worker sanitation and creating buffers to keep wildlife off the farm — are expected to be in place by the end of spring.
"We're moving with deliberate speed, and our target date so far is June 21, the beginning of summer," said Steve Lyle, a spokesman with the department.


TK: It is not as if growers are waiting around for June 21 to begin following good farming practices; they already are fully engaged in issues of food safety. The industry and the public should feel better about what has been done so far, but that small slice of risk weighs heavily on producers this year.