On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued to the produce industry guidance on reducing the risk of contamination in fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The "guidance" (regulatory lingo for "suggestion") urges the industry to develop food safety plans. The guidance is completely voluntary. FDA's nonchalance is odd considering recent events. Highly publicized food-borne illness outbreaks — such as the E. Coli tainted spinach of 2006 and the current case of salmonella in peanut butter — have raised concern over the safety of our nation's food supply. One would think America's leading food monitor would begin to do its job with more, not less vigor. See this Associated Press article for more.