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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2012 Publication Date: 3/31/2012 Citation: Sharma, M. 2012. Produce and foodborne pathogens. [abstract]. . Meeting Abstract. 1. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Over the last 20 years, there have been high profile outbreaks associated with the consumption of contaminated produce (sprouts, leafy greens, tomatoes, cantaloupes) which have sickened and killed hundreds of people. Produce commodities grown in agricultural fields have multiple opportunities to be contaminated with microbial pathogens on the way to consumers’ plates, hence the “Farm to Fork” paradigm. Scientists at the United Stated Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) work to investigate mechanisms how bacteria, such as pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, contaminate produce commodities. These strategies include investigating novel decontamination protocols for irrigation water, examining the length of persistence of these bacterial pathogens on leafy surfaces of plants, routes of contamination of leafy greens, and if current recommendations are sufficient to provide protection against produce contamination. ARS Scientists do the “dirty” work in fields, with soil, manure and water and bacteria. Outside, inside – we traverse the fields to find where the bacteria are. Sometimes you need boots, sometimes you carry a microscope - very frequently you need both to comprehensively address produce safety issues! |
