Farmer Jack has hired an outside laboratory to perform microbiological testing in each of its stores five times a year. They test them for E. coli, coliform bacteria and a standard plate count, which is how many bacteria. In addition, they swab in the departments for listeria and salmonella. A standard plate shows the concentration of bacteria on a surface. Such testing is not required by law.
Many food processors avoid it for fear they'll have to recall a product.
So far, Wickman said, Farmer Jack's tests have not detected any serious problems. Under Wickman's direction, Farmer Jack stores have stopped selling alfalfa sprouts because they too often have been subject to nationwide recalls for bacterial contamination. And Farmer Jack stores are no longer making their own deli salads. The reason is a manufacturing company is a more-controlled environment. That's all they do, is make salads.