State of Science :: Food Safety
"Unfinished Business: Preventing E. coli O157 Outbreaks in Leafy Greens"
June 2007
Author(s): Charles Benbrook, PhD
Chief Scientist
The Organic Center
Steps required to prevent future E. coli O157 outbreaks caused by leafy greens are described, drawing on "lessons learned" from the September 2006 spinach outbreak.
The likely causes of the 2006 outbreak are discussed, focusing on the proximity of cattle to the outbreak field on the Paicines Ranch. Photos of the field and the surrounding area show how close cattle were to the field and how easily manure could have washed or blown onto the outbreak field.
"Unfinished Business" (21 page PDF file)
