Frustrated and promising more action

Coverage of FDA's report of the investigation of the E. coli outbreak linked to Salinas Valley wasn't very satisfying, consumer press reports agree. Here is a summary of coverage from The Salinas Californian.

Story: Unsolved puzzle frustrates leaders
Reporter: Jake Henshaw, The Salinas Californian
Lede:
Friday's release of a long-awaited report on last year's deadly E. coli outbreak linked to Central Coast fresh spinach left several agricultural and elected officials frustrated and promising more action.
First quote:
Having a conclusive result would have been nice," said Joe Pezzini, who chairs a government-supervised industry board trying to establish safer growing practices for leafy green produce.
Notables quoted:Dole Fresh Vegetables president Eric Schwartz ; John Baillie, president of Baillie Family Farms/Tri-Counties Packing in Salinas; State Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, ; Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter; Tim Chelling, spokesman for Western Growers Association; Bob Scowcroft, executive director of the Organic Farming Research Foundation in Santa Cruz,;
Gist: Besides regulation of growing practices and more research, lawmakers want a "kill step" that would remove the risk of pathogens on produce.

Should we irradiate fruits and vegetables?

That's the provocative title of this NBC Dateline feature on irradiation. The story revisits the topic of irradiation's application to food safety measures for fresh produce,

Story: Should we irradiate fruits and vegetables?
Author: NBC Dateline, Victoria Corderi
Lede:What would make two grown men eat spinach laced with E. coli?
First quote:
"Irradiation is an idea whose time has come,” says Dr. Dennis Maki, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Wisconsin.
Notables quoted: Dennis Maki, University of Wisconsin; Bill Marler, Seattle lawyer; Harlan Clemmons, the president of SADEX; "Produce Pete" Napolitano ; Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; Dr. Kevin Reilly of the California Department of Health;
Gist: Story leaves you with the idea that something more needs to be done and that "something more" may be irradiation.


TK: The more irradiation is discussed in relation to preventing foodborne illness outbreaks, the more public acceptance of the technology will grow. And the topic is coming up a lot.

Sunday news roundup

Sagging sales of spinach are again highlighted in this piece by the LA. Times. Consumer confidence has waned, but industry sources assure us it is coming back.

Headline: Sales of spinach remain weak
Pub: LA Times
Reporter: Jerry Hirsch
Lede: Eat your spinach? Mom's advice is falling prey to food safety fears as many consumers continue to steer clear of the leafy green, months after last year's recall and E. coli outbreak.
Notable quotes:
"We are struggling to get back on our feet. We are at about 50% of our former demand," said Dale Huss, vice president of production for Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms Inc., which grows spinach and other produce on 20,000 acres in California, Arizona and Mexico.
Gist: Sales of spinach have sagged 40% from annual sales of $240 million, a Dole spokesman says. The Perishables Group says the average grocery story now sells about $183 per week, a 54% decline from before the national recall. Rutgers study on consumer behavior is cited as well. Can spinach come back? Says Dole's Ordman, ""The industry is taking steps to communicate to people the health benefits of eating fresh spinach and salads," Ordman said, noting a recent upswing in sales."It is taking some time, but the market is coming back.