Salinas – Assemblymember Anna Caballero (28th AD) was set today to continue a series of meetings she has been holding with various stakeholders in her district and in the State Capitol to probe perspectives and insights on the recent E coli contamination of leafy green vegetables in the Salinas and Central Valleys, and what should be done to prevent future outbreaks.

The meeting today will include local farmers and representatives of farm organizations, farm worker groups, environmental scientists from UC Santa Cruz, environmentalists and representatives from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and county Resource Conservation District.

Caballero has introduced legislation that would provide funding for research into the methods by which leafy green vegetables can become contaminated with E coli bacteria, and what farmers and processors can do to prevent it.

“I called this meeting to get the perspective of local farmers, researchers, water quality and land use experts and environmentalists about what they have learned since this E coli outbreak occurred, and what they believe must be done to ensure the safety of our food supply,” said Assemblymember Caballero.

“I’ve held similar meetings with representatives of the state agencies, the Agricultural Extension Service, the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security and our local county health officers.  Earlier this week I also met with representatives of the beef industry, to hear from them what the lessons they learned from E coli contamination outbreaks with beef products that occurred several years ago.

Caballero has also participated in several legislative informational hearings on the E coli contamination issue.

“The meetings and the hearings have been very useful in pointing towards what we do know about the contamination, and where additional research is urgently needed,” said Caballero.  “Growers and consumers both deserve solid information about how to prevent future contamination episodes.  That’s the focus of my legislation.”