The 2025 LGMA Approved Guidelines Amendment Process

Western Growers supports the continuous improvement of the LGMA-approved leafy green food safety guidelines and facilitates a yearly systematic amendment process.

Starting in 2022, the “Priority Setting Committee,” established by the LGMAs, is responsible for assessing annual priorities. At the beginning of each year, the Priority-Setting Committee sets the topic(s) for the remainder of the year.

The Comment Period is Open for the T&L Program Updates (Issue 17) From August 18th – September 18th

Memo from the Working Group

The LGMA Test & Learn (T&L) Working Group, comprised of members from the LGMA T&L Data Governance Group, recommends updating the CA LGMA metrics (leafy green food safety guidelines) to incorporate the recently approved enhancements to the Romaine Test & Learn Program. These updates reflect both the program’s two-year extension and the introduction of new data reporting requirements aimed at deepening insights and improving industry-wide learning.

Background
The original timeframe for the CA LGMA Romaine Test & Learn (T&L) Program was scheduled to conclude in October 2025. The LGMA T&L Data Governance Group met during June and July 2025 to review program results and identify opportunities to maximize learnings.

Based on these discussions, the CA LGMA Board approved on August 7, 2025, an extension of the program for an additional two years (through September 30, 2027) and the adoption of updated requirements reflected in Issue 17 of the metrics. This proactive step will allow continued data collection and deeper analysis to strengthen industry knowledge.

Program Changes:

Along with the extension, LGMA is introducing new data reporting requirements. These updates are designed to improve the understanding of key associations identified upon initial analysis of the data. To reflect these changes, Issue 17 of the metrics needs to be updated; this comment period is intended to gather feedback on the drafted language of the updated program.

The program remains voluntary and applies only to handlers who are already testing romaine. The new requirements will apply exclusively to those participants.

Find below the following information:

• LGMA Approved Food Safety Guidelines – Issue 17 Draft
• Romaine Test & Learn Annual Ranch Information Form
• Romaine Test & Learn Annual Method Verification Form
• Romaine Test & Learn – Sample Upload Template for Every Sample
• Romaine Test & Learn – Root Cause Interview Recommendations

Important Documents – Working Draft

Working Draft – Romaine Test & Learn (Issue 17): Download this file, and add your comments using the work “Comment” function.

Supplemental Documents:

1. Marked up Version of the Draft
2. CA LGMA Romaine Test and Learn Template for Every Sample 6.27.25
3. CA LGMA TL Annual Ranch Information form 6.27.25
4. CA LGMA Romaine Test and Learn Annual Method Verification Form 6.27.25
5. 2025-08-15 Working Group Memo For Comment Period

Other Upcoming Comment Periods

Water: October 2025

Participate in the Process

If you are interested in summitting comments to for the proposed working drafts, follow these submission guidelines:

1. Download the “Working Draft” under Important Document
2. Use the Word function “New Comment” to provide details on how the proposed change will enhance food safety, along with the rationale behind the change
3. When you are ready to submit please submit your document by clicking on “Submit a Comment” button below. This will take you to a form where you can attach a new version of the working draft with your comments.

Note: We are only accepting proposals that follow the above steps. Comment should be submitted as a word document, scientific rationale should be included for comments submitted. 

Important Dates and Events