FoodLogistics.com |

Washington: Food producer Dole Food Co. has stepped up testing and tracking of produce to prevent outbreaks of E.coli.

According to Reuters, Dole's president for worldwide vegetables, Eric Schwartz says the company is testing samples from every acre of spinach and other vegetables that will be marketed under the Dole label. If a harmful bacterium or other problem is detected, plants from that area will not enter the processing chain.

Dole also is putting in place a new electronic system it hopes will speed the ability to trace problems when they occur. It will be able to pinpoint, within 30 feet, where any batch of spinach was grown.

Dole's steps to more closely monitor produce and to convince consumers it is safe, come as the company hopes to avoid outbreaks such as the one last year, where bagged spinach from Dole and other brands contaminated with E.coli 0157:H7 sickened more than 200 people and killed three.