Although the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector is growing, little research has been done to explore microbial hazards or best sanitation practices. Funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS), Ana Allende, Ph.D. from the Center for Applied Soil Science and Biology, Segura of the Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC) is leading a project to analyze microbial risk factors and sampling points to provide data industry can use to develop control measures.
Although Dr. Allende’s team—which includes co-principal investigators Mabel Gil, Ph.D., and Pilar Truchado, Ph.D. from CEBAS-CSIC—is conducting research in Spain, the resulting data and recommendations should be applicable across Europe and the U.S. Additionally, the work focuses on leafy greens but the information could be relevant to CEA crops like peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.