e-3129 (Food and drink)

Petition to the Government of Canada

• Over 90% of leafy green vegetables consumed in Canada are grown in California;
• Due to run off from cattle feedlots getting into irrigation water, leafy greens now cause more E. coli outbreaks than any other food, including beef;
• Between 2014 and 2018, there were 51 reported outbreaks linked to leafy greens;
• When people test positive for an E. coli infection, Public Health is notified;
• Eventually, if enough people are sickened and a common link is found, a recall is issued;
• Often, by the time the contaminated greens are identified, most of the damage is already done;
• In the case of the romaine lettuce outbreak of 2018, people began getting sick on October 11, infections peaked on October 28, trailed off until November 11, and the recall was issued on November 20;
• In response to the 2006 spinach outbreak that sickened hundreds and killed five people, the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (LGMA) was formed;
• 98% of farms growing leafy greens in California are members of the LGMA;
• Recently, the Government of Canada put in place a temporary import measure that required romaine lettuce grown in California to be accompanied by a certificate from a laboratory confirming that the lettuce had below-detectable levels of E. coli;
• The import measure went into effect on October 7, 2020, and ended on December 31, 2020; and
• All leafy green vegetables are at risk, and outbreaks are happening all year long.