E. Coli Report Released by Grand Jury

Christina Cole

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On Tuesday, the Monterey County Grand Jury released a report on E. coli and produce on the Central coast and they made some strong suggestions to help protect the public in the future.

The grand jury found that only one waterway in the lower Salinas River watershed does not violate federal E. coli standards. The report surmises that outbreaks have and will continue to affect all of Monterey County.

"For the board of supervisors to move forward without the industry basically is the blind leading the blind. The industry understands the problem. As far as enforcement, the county understands the problem and the advisory committee will make recommendations," Monterey County Supervisor Lou Calcagno said.

The grand jury is recommending that the county health department tests all susceptible local produce, land and water before and during harvest, and that the county finance that testing.