Interactions

This recommendation makes me question the integrity of a supposedly objective organization, which is obviously selling out to Big Dairy.

Dina Aronson

Montclair, N.J.

Greens Are Not the Only Contaminants

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"The Spinach Recall: Q's and A's" [Sept. 19] may mislead consumers. The article states that all of the E. coli-related outbreaks since 1995 are from contaminated lettuce or leafy greens. That's not the case, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says outbreaks have occurred from consumption of unpasteurized apple juice and milk, sprouts, salami, lettuce, contact with cattle, as well as waterborne transmission.

In addition, the statement -- without context -- that "the majority of the outbreaks were traced to products farmed in California, many in the Salinas Valley" -- could mislead readers into thinking that California farming is slipshod. But since the vast majority of all U.S. fruits and vegetables are produced in California, it is not surprising that most outbreaks originate there. For example, according to the California Agricultural Resource Directory, 76 percent of all lettuce and 74 percent of all spinach produced in this country are farmed in California.

Frances B. Smith

Adjunct Fellow

Competitive Enterprise Institute

Washington