October 19, 2006

Mexico Opens Border to U.S. Lettuce

The Mexican government announced today it would reopen the border to shipments of lettuce from California.

Mexico stopped shipments from the United States earlier this month, citing concerns over a recall by The Nunes Company in Salinas, Calif. The company recalled about 8,500 packages of green leaf lettuce after a secondary irrigation source tested positive for E. coli contamination.

The company announced Oct. 18 that FDA and the California Department of Health found no traces of E. coli on the recalled lettuce.

“Repeated tests by multiple independent laboratories and the government have shown that there is no pathogenic E. coli either in the water or on our product. From the beginning, we have had as our only goal to protect the consumer. We are confident we accomplished this goal,” said Tom Nunes, president of The Nunes Company. “We have been commended by the FDA for our prompt action, and the precautionary recall shows that self-regulation in the produce industry works.”

The opening of the Mexican border comes after communication with Mexican officials by FDA, USDA and industry trade organizations.

“This ban by the Mexican government was never based on science, nor in the best interest of Mexican consumers,” said Tom Stenzel, president of United Fresh Produce Association. “This is an important, although belated step, and we appreciate all the work by USDA, FDA, U.S. congressional members, and Mexican officials to help encourage a more sound assessment of public health policy.”





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