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Abstract
Concerns regarding the safety and integrity of the fresh produce supply chain are becoming all
too common in the media. In 2006, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 from farms in Central California
sickened almost two hundred people and lead to the deaths of three. Estimated costs to
the industry ranged from $100 per month to $200 million until spinach sales returned to normal.
By some accounts, the spinach industry has yet to recover and may not for years to come. The
incident, however, has lead to a host of initiatives from industry officials, legislators and fresh
produce retailers to ensure the safety of fresh produce. The necessary technology and best practices
knowledge exists, yet some growers have not made the investment required to ensure that
such outbreaks do not happen again in the future.