[last updated 8.27.24]

Leafy Green Industry Stakeholders,

The seasonal transitional period can introduce additional challenges and complexity to the food safety system. To help you navigate this critical time, we’ve provided key resources below, including the recorded webinar series hosted by Western Growers and the Arizona and California LGMAs covering this topic.

Leafy Green Seasonality and Transition Period Webinars

1. Part 1 – What We Know About Seasonality Issues and Transition Periods
2. Part 1 – Slide Deck
3. Part 2 – Industry Efforts, Tools & Best Practices to Consider Before & During Transition
4. Part 2 – Slide Deck
5. Webinar Series Key Takeaways

Information Sheets and Infographics

1. Transition Period Practices for Leafy Green Operations
2. Compost Delivery, Stockpiling & Handling – Good Neighbor Compost Handling

FSMA Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Rule

On May 6, 2024, the FDA published the final rule to amend the agricultural water provision of the produce safety regulation. This update replaces previous criteria and testing requirements with a new regulatory approach emphasizing systems-based assessments to target key contamination risks. Western Growers hosted an informative webinar on June 26 and has collected a set of resources related to implementation of the Ag Water Rule.

1. Western Growers Webinar and Resources Related to the New FSMA Ag Water Rule

FDA Southwest Agricultural Region Environmental Microbiology Study (2019 – 2024)

The FDA and collaborators released preliminary findings from a multi-year environmental study in Yuma County, Arizona, highlighting the role of airborne pathogens, water quality and wildlife in the contamination of leafy greens.

1. FDA Key Findings

Center for Produce Safety (CPS) and California Agricultural Neighbors (CAN) Resources

The CPS funded a project led by principal investigator Dr. Trevor Suslow that looked at the relevance of seasonality in outbreaks. This effort resulted in five Issue Briefs released in February 2022.

In June 2022, the CAN effort produced a report addressing adjacent land use, specifically to reduce risks of pathogen contamination based on a collaborative approach.

1. CPS STEC Issue Brief 1 – Hypothesis Risk Matrix
2. CPS STEC Issue Brief 2 – Leafy Green Production Patterns and Practices
3. CPS STEC Issue Brief 3 – Regional Cattle Management Profile
4. CPS STEC Issue Brief 4 – Genomics and SNPs
5. CPS STEC Issue Brief 5 – Bioaerosol Risk and Crop Setback Distances
6. CAN – Neighbor-to-neighbor best practices

Additional Food Safety Resources:

1. Western Growers Resource Page
2. California LGMA Resources
3. Arizona LGMA Resources
4. CPS Resources

Contact Us

As you know, it is vital to detect food safety risks during the transition and to move quickly to adopt known best practices. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to the Western Growers Science team at [email protected].