The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrobial packaging development.
This article examines the frequent contamination of fresh produce (e.g., cucumber and sprouts due to recent outbreaks linked to these foods) with Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
Providing evidence for potential Produce Safety Rule standards, the assessment examined how pathogens survive in untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) and contaminate produce. FDA found that longer time between BSAAO application and harvest significantly reduces crop contamination.
Despite having Listeria-positive samples that matched the outbreak strain via whole genome sequencing (WGS), which prompted an FDA Import Alert and a company recall for the suspected vehicle of illness, FDA did not disclose the specific product or any of the firms implicated.
The California Longitudinal Study, a five-year environmental study of California’s Central Coast produce-growing region, identified wildlife, livestock, and surface water as potential contributors to the persistence and movement of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).
The educational series comprises four distinct food safety events taking place across the U.S. to help address the nut industry’s diverse challenges through networking, professional development, and knowledge-sharing.
The researchers conducted environmental sampling throughout a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operation and tested swabs for L. monocytogenes. Boot covers proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation.
The standards provide a consistent framework for state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions overseeing produce operations and commodities covered by the Produce Safety Rule.
The STEC O26:H11 outbreak sickened 40 people and resulted in 19 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Dried fruit was the probable vehicle of illness. Researchers underlined the importance of a weight-of-evidence approach in the outbreak investigation.
MagnaFlow is a new automated inline washwater analyzer that provides continuous, real-time visibility into the microbial loads present in post-harvest wash systems.
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