Framework…protocols for evaluation … hazards & controls…application...soil amendments of animal origin on land…grow produce…consumed raw

Authors: HARRIS, LINDA - University Of California; Berry, Elaine; BLESSINGTON, TYANN - University Of California; ERICKSON, MARILYN - University Of Georgia; JAY-RUSSELL, MICHELE - University Of California; JIANG, XIUPING - Clemson University; KILLINGER, KAREN - Washington State University; MICHEL, FREDRICK - The Ohio State University; Millner, Patricia; SCHNEIDER, KEITH - University Of Florida; Sharma, Manan; SUSLOW, TREVOR - University Of California; WANG, LUXIN - Auburn University; WOROBO, RANDY - Cornell University

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2013
Publication Date: 6/4/2013
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/57395
Citation: Harris, L.J., Berry, E.D., Blessington, T., Erickson, M., Jay-Russell, M., Jiang, X., Killinger, K., Michel, F.C., Millner, P.D., Schneider, K., Sharma, M., Suslow, T.V., Wang, L., Worobo, R.W. 2013. A framework for developing research protocols for evaluation of microbial hazards and controls during production that pertain to the application of untreated soil amendments of animal origin on land used to grow produce that may be consumed raw. Journal of Food Protection. 76(6):1062-1084.

Interpretive Summary: Application of soil amendments of animal origin (for example, manure) to agricultural land used for crop production has been a long-standing practice to maintain or improve soil quality through addition of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. However, fresh, untreated manure and related amendments can contain pathogens that may survive for extended periods after application to agricultural land. The presence of these pathogens will increase the risk of contaminating the crops that are grown in the amended soil. Additional studies are needed to enhance our understanding of preharvest microbial food safety hazards and control measures that pertain to the application of untreated soil amendments of animal origin to land used to grow produce that may be consumed raw. This document is intended to provide a framework for such studies by defining the scope and type of data required and by providing an approach to study design. This document also serves as a tool for evaluating the strength of existing data, and thus can aid the produce industry and regulatory authorities in identifying research needs. Ultimately, use of this framework by researchers provides a means to increase consistency among and between research studies, and facilitates the direct comparison of hazards and the effectiveness of hazard controls applied to different regions, conditions, and practices.

Technical Abstract: Application of manure or soil amendments of animal origin (untreated soil amendments; UTSAs) to agricultural land has been a long-standing practice to maintain or improve soil quality through addition of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Much smaller quantities of these types of UTSAs are applied to land used for food crops than to land used for animal grain and forage. UTSAs can harbor zoonotic enteric pathogens that may survive for extended periods after application. Additional studies are needed to enhance our understanding of preharvest microbial food safety hazards and control measures pertaining to the application of UTSAs especially for land used to grow produce that may be consumed raw. This document is intended to provide an approach to study design and a framework for defining the scope and type of data required. This document also provides a tool for evaluating the strength of existing data and thus can aid the produce industry and regulatory authorities in identifying additional research needs. Ultimately, this framework provides a means by which researchers can increase consistency among and between studies and facilitates direct comparison of hazards and efficacy of controls applied to different regions, conditions, and practices.