US: Mounting regulations create challenges for spinach producers

Published 2024년 5월 13일

Tridge summary

Tiro Tres Farms, a spinach and leafy greens producer in Texas, is grappling with the challenges and costs of increased food safety regulations. The family-owned farm, which has been in operation for a century, has seen a surge in regulations and customer-specific requirements, including testing for E. coli, salmonella, and STEC. These regulations, designed to ensure food safety, require thorough documentation and frequent audits, adding complexity and expense to the farming operation. The Ritchie family, particularly daughter Paige who manages food safety compliance, is dedicated to meeting these standards but faces challenges in keeping up with the rapidly changing regulations and the financial strain they cause.
Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Food recalls and public health alerts make news headlines, but mounting food safety regulations create challenges for spinach producers. Ed and Paige Ritchie, Zavala County, Texas, go to great lengths to secure a safe food supply for consumers. Armed with a coding system, the family documents production practices down to the acre. “If there is a food safety recall, we have to be able to trace back quickly, like within two hours,” said Paige, the farm’s Food Safety Quality Assurance manager. She and her father, Ed, grow spinach and other leafy greens in the fields they call Tiro Tres Farms. The increased attention to food safety is important to the family, but it comes at a cost. Tiro Tres Farms grows baby leaf, teen leaf and Savoy spinach in Zavala County, Texas. They are one of three spinach grower/packers in the state. Historically, the Ritchies primarily had to comply with only USDA food safety regulations, but as consumer demand changed, each customer has also established ...

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