Leafy Greens Management Association (LGMA) and Compost Pathogen Testing
The USCC, through its Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee (LEAC) is analyzing and tracking changes in pathogen testing proposed by the Leafy Greens Management Association of California, which promotes a set of food safety practices that are implemented on leafy greens farms throughout the state.
The committee is looking into the proposal and the testing parameters proposed to determine its impact composts use on California farm soil used for leafy green produce such as lettuce and spinach. USCC’s Seal of Testing Assurance program testing standards for pathogens, set by the TMECC protocols, already testing for pathogens such as E. coli, fecal coliform and salmonella. Lab tests have proven these are killed when compost reaches the PFRP (Process to Further Reduce Pathogens) known as "time and temperature” in the industry (see compost definition: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/CompostDefinition).
The Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement is a voluntary agreement by producers of produce. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these third-party agreements. LEAC members are reaching out to members and agencies in California to determine any communication USCC might have with LGMA.
Pre-Processing Equipment and the Definition of Compost
Passage of organics ban legislation in Maryland and upcoming enactment of regulations based on past legislation in other states is generating questions to USCC members and staff about verification of compost production claims from equipment involved in dehydration, volume reduction, processing in-vessel and home kitchen top organics processing. Some equipment being advertised as "compost” may not be meeting standards that underlie the definition of compost (see compost definition: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/page/CompostDefinition).
A small short-term subgroup will be looking into this issue in coming months to report on how to educate generators about the various types of equipment and whether any further action is needed to prove the claim of compost production. If interested in this group, please contact staff member Linda Norris-Waldt.