Market Farming

["Adriana" <gutierrez-lagatta AT charter.net>]

> Adriana - You undoubtedly know more than me, BUT... isn't wheat grass
> a micro-green and, as such (grown in soil/not in water), it is exempt
> from the sprout regulations? -Allan

The fact that they are grown in soil does not disqualify them...wheat grass
falls under sprout regulations.  Basically, if there has been a documetned
case of contamination, it's included.

From: http://www.fda.gov/ora/about/enf_story/archive/2001/ch4/cfsan7.htm :

"Chapter 4
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition continued

Last Update: August 07, 2003
Vegetables
Warning Letter Issued to Sprout Growing Facility
FDA Warns Firm of Food Bourne Illness Associated with Sprouts
The FDA's Los Angeles District Office issued a Warning letter on March 20,
2001, to Kowalke Family Sprouts, Canoga Park, California. An FDA inspection
of the facility on July 17 and 19, 2000, revealed that the sprouts had been
prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions. The Warning Letter
cited the firm for failure to test sprouts and/or spent irrigation water for
each lot as per the FDA guidance document "Sampling and Microbial Testing of
Spent Irrigation Water During Sprout Production." The inspection revealed
that firm had done no testing, and had other serious CGMP deficiencies,
including, using non-sterile soil, vermin in the facility, and numerous
potential cross-contamination issues.
The Warning Letter clarified the Agency's position on the definition of
"sprout" to cover products identified as "salad greens" by the firm,
including Daikon radish, safflower, pea sprouts, and wheat grass. The
Warning Letter also noted that the FDA considers ready-to-eat sprouts a food
commodity that is unique from other raw agricultural products due to the
food-borne illness outbreaks that have been associated with these products.
"