Leafy greens were on the educational menu last week in Yuma, Ariz., as ten officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, toured spinach and lettuce fields, a cooling operation and a processing facility.

United Fresh members NewStar Fresh Foods, Tanimura & Antle, Taylor Farms, Amigo Farms, Skyview Cooling and Dole Fresh Vegetables welcomed the CDC contingent during a full day of tours Thursday.

"CDC is often on the front line during outbreak investigations, working with very little information to identify how consumers were exposed to pathogens," said Dr. David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology at United Fresh. "We don't want CDC making decisions based on speculation and outdated practices about how fresh produce is grown and handled, and we certainly want them to know they can come to the industry for accurate and reliable information. This was just one step in developing better relations and mutual understanding with these and other public health officials."

The tour was organized jointly by United Fresh and PMA to improve relations with the CDC. In months to come, United Fresh and PMA will continue to provide CDC with tools to support their epidemiological and outbreak investigations. For more information, contact Dr. Gombas at 202-303-3411.