Source: N Y AGRICULTURAL EXPT STATION submitted to
MINIMIZING MICROBIAL FOOD SAFETY HAZARDS OF FRESH AND FRESH-CUT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THROUGH A FARM TO TABLE APPROACH
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0214314
Grant No.
2008-51110-04688
Project No.
NYG-623580
Proposal No.
2008-01589
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
111
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2008
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2013
Grant Year
2008
Project Director
Worobo, R. W.
Recipient Organization
N Y AGRICULTURAL EXPT STATION
(N/A)
GENEVA,NY 14456
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The increased number of produce related foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States has raised consumer awareness and concerns with the safety of fresh produce. The contamination of fruits and vegetables with foodborne pathogens can occur throughout the food chain and that a single intervention strategy (or relying on intervention at a single point in the chain) cannot be used to eliminate or control microbial hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables. Rather, effective preventative measures require a comprehensive "farm to fork" approach that relies on science based GAPs as well as additional control strategies throughout processing and distribution. This proposal represents a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort among scientists from several institutions and states, which includes applied research, outreach and education components aimed at reducing the risk of contamination of fresh and fresh cut fruits and vegetables with foodborne pathogens by intervening at the growing, harvesting, packinghouse, transportation, retail and consumer levels.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
35%
Applied
50%
Developmental
15%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7120210110010%
7120210302010%
7120999110010%
7121119110010%
7121129110020%
7121499104015%
7121499110015%
7121499302010%
Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources; 1119 - Deciduous tree fruits, general/other; 1129 - Berries and cane fruits, general/other; 1499 - Vegetables, general/other; 0999 - Citrus, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education; 1100 - Bacteriology; 1040 - Molecular biology;
Goals / Objectives
This multidisciplinary, collaborative effort among scientists from several institutions and states includes research, education, and outreach components aimed at reducing the microbial risks associated with the production of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables at the farm and subsequent handling during processing, food service, and at the consumer level. The proposed activities will complement and extend the FDA/USDA guidance document "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables". These goals will be accomplished through seven objectives: 1. Redefine current GAPs based on scientific data to control and minimize microbial food safety hazards in fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables on farms and in packinghouses. These studies will focus on determining risk and risk reduction practices associated with production practices including irrigation water, soil, wildlife, manure (raw and composted) and worker health and hygiene. 2. Understanding and modeling transfer coefficients between microbial food safety hazards and fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables in production and processing environments. Selected laboratory and greenhouse-based studies will focus on generating the necessary information on pathogen transfer coefficients from a variety of sources (including water, soil, and cutting blades) as affected by environmental factors and the fate of transferred pathogens through the production and processing environment of the selected fruit or vegetable. 3. Define, develop, and communicate microbial food safety hazards that can result in the contamination of fresh and fresh-cut produce in restaurants and at retail. 4. Evaluate consumer produce handling practices to define methods of microbial risk reduction. Efforts will focus on surveys of current consumer handling practices and validate the effectiveness of different interventions that can be used at home. Consumer willingness to adopt interventions will also be evaluated. 5. Food systems analysis and economics of controlling microbial food safety hazards in fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This proposal will evaluate the economics of food safety implementation to further define costs and assist operations with understanding how to most effectively and efficiently implement food safety practices. 6. Extension Education. Once scientific data is generated from the research outlined in objectives 1-5, appropriate extension materials will be developed targeting audiences on the farm, in processing plants, at retail, and in the home. Extension activities will include, but not be limited to Train-the-trainer workshops, development of written and video materials, and direct extension activities such as presentations at grower meetings, and national trade shows 7. Education of undergraduate and graduate students. This project will allow for the education of students so that they understand the microbial risks that occur from farm to table and how best to evaluate and reduce these risks. Developing expertise in microbial food safety is critical to the production and processing of safe fresh produce.
Project Methods
The objectives outlined above will be accomplished by the following core-units. 1. Animal and farm management practices for production of fruits and vegetables. This unit will include expertise in pathogen transmission from, humans, animals and environmental sources such as water, manure, and farming practices. 2. Pathogen risks and controls fresh and cut produce at the processing, distribution, retail, foodservice and consumer level. This unit includes expertise in sanitation and handling practices as well as produce associated pathogen lethality and control(s) with chemical based treatments, active packaging systems, and high pressure treatment. 3. Genomics and molecular subtyping. This unit includes expertise in strain variation and molecular subtyping as related to transmission, survival, and virulence. 4. Mathematical modeling and economics. This unit includes expertise in survival and growth modeling as well as in epidemiological transmission modeling. 5. Outreach and education. This core unit includes expertise in outreach related to (i) fruit and vegetable growers and farmworkers (ii) processing and food service industries (iii) health care providers, consumers, and extension personnel.

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The targeted audience that constitute the food chain from farm to consumers, the educational and outreach activities focused on 5 sectors, including (i) fruit and vegetable growers and packers; (ii) processors; (iii) regulators, (iv) retail and food service; (v) consumers, and (vi) extension personnel and educators. Changes/Problems: Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury of Michigan State University has left her original faculty position and her current affiliation is USDA. Mollie Woods of Michigan State University who was responsible for the data collection and analysis will remain at MSU and will assume complete responsibilities for the MSU portion of the grant project. In addition, 3 of the 4 industry collaborators left their original employer as well as one of the key industry collaborators was killed in a tragic car accident. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? A total of 10 graduate students were supported by this multi-institutional project. A total of 6 PhD and 4 MS students that included 2 MS students from Michigan State University, 4 PhD students at Cornell University, 1 PhD student at the University of Florida, 1 MS student at the University of California Davis, 1 PhD and 1 MS student at Texas Tech University. The students research and extension activities supported the research and extension objectives of the proposal. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The research findings were incorporated into existing training materials that include GAPs, produce packinghouse GMPs, and training materials that support the impending produce regulations within the Food Safety Modernization Act. Training programs were delivered to more than 1500 individuals that included industry, regulatory, and scientists at industry, trade, food safety meetings, and formal trainings. In addition, more than 20 research and extension publications resulted from this research. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: A longitudinal study was conducted on five farms in NY State to characterize prevalence, persistence, and diversity of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce fields and to determine landscape and meteorological factors that predict their presence. Produce fields were sampled four times per year for two years. The prevalence measures of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and STEC were 15.0, 4.6, and 2.7%, respectively. L. monocytogenes and Salmonella were detected more frequently in water samples, while STEC was detected with equal frequency across all sample types (soil, water, feces and drag swabs). Soil, available water storage (AWS), temperature, and proximity to three land cover classes: water, roads and urban development, and pasture/hay grass, influenced the likelihood of detecting L. monocytogenes. Drainage class, AWS, and precipitation were identified as important factors in Salmonella detection. This information was used in a geographic information systems framework to hypothesize locations of environmental reservoirs where the prevalence of foodborne pathogens may be elevated. The map indicated that not all croplands are equally likely to contain environmental reservoirs of L. monocytogenes. Similarly, during the 2010 crop year, two South FL farms were visited. On each farm, 4 plots were selected representing fields (i) recently planted (ii) produce had been seeded, but plants were not visible; (iii) tilled, but not planted; (iv) fallow. The same sample types and sampling methods as for NY was followed and analyzed at Cornell. STEC was found in 2 samples (3.6%), Salmonella in 20 samples (36.4%), and L. monocytogenes in no samples. These results are significantly different from those reported for NY farms by Strawn et al., 2012. TX studies showed produce exposed to feedlot dust had increased bacterial contamination compared to controls. Distance from feedlot was associated with level of contamination and the effect is reduced if plants are grown farther away from the feedlot area. Obj 2: To evaluate the transfer of Salmonella between gloved hands and tomatoes were performed using mature green, round tomatoes and 2 different types of gloves (reusable and single-use) and 2 different hygienic conditions of reusable glove (clean and dirty). Transfer scenarios included glove (clean and dirty) to tomato, tomato to glove (clean only) and glove (clean and dirty) to many subsequently touched tomatoes. Dirty gloves (reusable only) were prepared by rubbing with a fresh tomato leaf for 20 s. The surface (glove or tomato) was spot inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of rifampicin resistant Salmonella (6 log CFU/surface) and tomatoes or gloves were touched following 0, 1, and 24 h of cocktail drying, for 5 s, with clean inoculated surface (gloves or tomatoes). Tomatoes, 25 for clean and 10 for dirty gloves, were also touched subsequently with gloves after 0 and 1 h drying. Transfer Coefficients (TCs) were calculated by dividing the population of Salmonella on the touched surface (CFU/surface) by the inoculated surface (CFU/surface). No significant differences in TCs are seen between clean reusable and single-use gloves as well as clean and dirty reusable gloves at three different drying times, when a single tomato was touched with an inoculated glove surface. Similarly, no significant differences exist between clean reusable and single-use gloves upon touching with inoculated tomatoes at 0 h and 1 h drying times. Drying the inoculum on the tomato surface for 24 h resulted in significantly more Salmonella positive reusable gloves than single-use gloves. Differences between 0 h and 1 h TCs were significant, when tomatoes were touched with inoculated gloves, but not when gloves were touched with inoculated tomatoes or when many tomatoes were touched with inoculated gloves. When 25 tomatoes were touched with clean reusable and single-use gloves, TCs reduced significantly from third tomato and seventh tomato, respectively. After touching 10 tomatoes with inoculated dirty gloves wet inoculum, TCs were not significantly reduced upon touching subsequent tomatoes. Clean reusable gloves transferred significantly more Salmonella to fewer tomatoes as compared to single-use and dirty reusable gloves, which transferred less Salmonella to more tomatoes. Similarly, factors that impact the transfer of E. coli from gloves to surfaces including during harvesting of lettuce were investigated. Leaves on Romaine lettuce plants were inoculated with approximately 6 log CFU/leaf of generic E. coli. After 6 or 24 h, pieces (100 cm2) of latex gloves (disposable smooth, or reusable; smooth or textured) were held on the inoculated lettuce surface for 5 s. In the field, heads of lettuce were inoculated at 7 log CFU/head and dried for 2 h. Latex gloves (disposable smooth or reusable textured) were inoculated with E. coli at 4.5 log CFU/glove, dried for 1 min, and used to harvest 20 heads of lettuce. TCs were significantly (P>0.05) higher for the latex and dry inoculum than for the nitrile and wet inoculum. Approximately 10 to 100 cells of E. coli were transferred from inoculated lettuce leaves to gloves, irrespective of drying time or glove type. In the field, after harvesting a single inoculated head of lettuce, sufficient cells were transferred to the glove such that E. coli was detected on 20 subsequent heads of lettuce more than 50% of the time, irrespective of glove type. When gloves were inoculated, E. coli was transferred to a greater proportion of lettuce heads when harvested with disposable gloves than with reusable gloves. Transfer of microorganisms from gloves to surfaces including lettuce is influenced by initial microbial loads, the presence of moisture, and the surface type. Contaminated gloves can transfer E. coli to multiple heads of lettuce during harvest emphasizing the importance of hygiene in the field. Objectives 3 & 4: A national survey was conducted of 400 participants who were required to meet criterion of being at least 18 years of age, the main meal planner, grocery buyer and specific cultural/ethnic backgrounds. Data were collected within constructs including demographics, food safety perceptions, food safety behaviors and food safety knowledge. Matrix analysis was conducted on the overall sample and ethnic subgroups to determine critical educational needs regarding food safety in the home. Preventing cross contamination was determined to be a critical need for food safety education for the overall population. It is recommended mothers/female legal guardians be one of the first points of contact for food safety curriculum materials. Federal government agencies are considered to be the most sought out for information on topics of food safety. Ethnic subgroups were determined to have similar educational needs as the overall population. Obj 5: To identify and assess the impacts of more stringent on farm food safety requirements on growers and on supply chains, a spatial equilibrium model for a fresh fruit was developed. The model illustrates the impacts of food safety practice adoption at the grower level in terms of additional costs (a negative impact) as well as access to markets (a positive impact). For small fruit producers, the cost of third party certification is prohibitively high so that they are excluded from participating in the supply chain for larger retail buyers. Not surprisingly, mid-sized producers of fresh produce are also more negatively impacted by increasingly stringent requirements for food safety practices and certification since, though they are able to access retail markets since they meet all requirements, they have less production through which to attain necessary economies of scale. In addition, for our selected commodity, fresh strawberries, many mid-sized growers are located in the Florida region which already struggles to compete in the marketplace which is dominated by California and Baja, Mexico producers.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: L.K. Strawn, E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, K. K. Nightingale, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Pathogens in Produce Production Environments: A Longitudinal Study of Fruit and Vegetable Farms in New York State. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, August 2011.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: L.K. Strawn, E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Isolation and Detection of Select Foodborne Pathogens from Produce Farms. Ninth Annual Retreat of Infection and Pathobiology, Owego, NY, October 2010.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: L.K. Strawn, E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Isolation and Detection of Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and Salmonella from produce farms. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, August 2010.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2013 Citation: ECOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SALMONELLA AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN NEW YORK STATE PRODUCE PREHARVEST ENVIRONMENTS
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2014 Citation: L.K. Strawn, M.D. Danyluk, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Distribution of Salmonella Subtypes Differs Significantly Between Two US Produce Growing Regions
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2011. Detection and confirmation of Salmonella from samples previously identified as positive using selective enrichment and PCR. Florida Association for Food Protection Annual Education Conference, Program Book, p. 15.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2011. Salmonella transfer potential from clean and dirty reusable gloves upon single and subsequent touches of round, mature green, hand-harvested tomatoes under laboratory conditions. 2011 International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting Technical Abstracts, T4-06.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2012. Salmonella transfer potential from gloves to multiple tomatoes during hand harvesting under laboratory conditions. EPI Research Day: 2012 Book of Abstracts, #3, p. 6.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2011. Salmonella transfer potential from gloves to multiple tomatoes during hand harvesting under laboratory conditions. 2011 Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Poster Abstract p. 38.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2010. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes. 2010 International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting Poster Abstracts, P3-32.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2010. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes. Florida Association for Food Protection AEC Program Guide, p. 9.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Brar, P.K., and M.D. Danyluk. 2013. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes under laboratory conditions. Journal of Food Protection. 76:1342-1349.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Woods, Mollie, Suzanne Thornsbury and Kellie Raper. 2012. Beyond Market Access: Value from Food Safety Certification of Fresh Strawberries. Agribusiness: An International Journal, 28:4 Autumn.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lopes, Miguel Vieira and Mollie Woods. 2012. A Report on Costs of Good Agricultural Practices: Audits and Certification Under the USDA GAP/GHP Program. Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Update of progress on GAPs impacts work to Michigan State Horticultural Society at MSHS Board Meeting, June 12, 2012, Clarksville, Michigan.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Barela, H., & Brashears, M.T. (2010). A Comparison of Ethnicities in Perception and Behavior of Food Safety Practices. Poster presented at the Meeting of the Southern Region Agricultural Education Research Conference, Feb 7-9, Orlando, FL.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Strawn LK, Gr�hn YT, Warchoki S, Worobo RW, Bihn EA, Wiedmann M. 2013. Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes Contamination of Produce Fields. Appl Environ Microbiol. Dec;79(24):7618-27
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Feng, G., J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. Naturally occurring bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria as bioprotective cultures to enhance the safety of sprouts. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, August 2010.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Durak, M.Z., J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 on green onions. 2010. IFT Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Durak, M. Z., Churey, J.J., Gates, M., Sacks, G.L., and Worobo, R.W. 2012. Decontamination of green onions and baby spinach by vaporized ethyl pyruvate. J. Food Prot. 75(6): 1012-22.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Durak, M.Z., Churey, J.J., and Worobo, R.W. 2012. Efficacy of UV, acidified sodium hypochlorite, and mild heat for decontamination of surface and infiltrated Escherichia coli O157:H7 on green onions and baby spinach. In press. J. Food Prot.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2011 Citation: P. Bergholz. 2011. GIS Modeling of pathogen persistence and transmission for pre-harvest food safety. Food Microbiology Issues Session. 46th Annual Region I Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Randolph, MA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: E. A. BIHN, John J. Churey, K. J. Mangione, C. A. Ford, W. F. Lyons and R. W. Worobo. 2011. Assessing the Quality of Surface Water Utilized for Fresh Produce Production in New York. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Survey of current water use practices on fresh fruit and vegetable farms and evaluation of microbiological quality of surface waters intended for fresh produce production
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Use of surface water in the production of fresh fruits and vegetables: a survey of fresh produce growers and their water management practices. Food Prot Trends. Vol 33 (5): 307-314.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Zhao, Irene. 2012. Evaluation of factors that influence cross contamination of Escherichia coli between gloves and lettuce during harvesting and fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on fresh-cut lettuce under conditions of consumer handling and storage. M.S. Thesis, UC Davis.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Yanamala, S., M.F. Miller. G.H. Loneragan, S.E. Gragg, and M.M. Brashears. 2011. Potential for Microbial Contamination of Spinach through Feedyard Air/Dust Growing in Close Proximity to Cattle Feedyard Operations. J. Food Safety. 31(4):525-529.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jones L.A., Worobo R.W., Smart C.D. Ultraviolet Light Inactivation of Human and Plant Pathogens in Unfiltered Surface Irrigation Water. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2013 Nov 15. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Barela, H. (2010). Cultural Comparison of Consumers' Knowledge, Perceptions and Behaviors of Produce Handling. Doctoral dissertation. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: L.K. Strawn, R.W. Worobo, Y.T. Grohn, M. Wiedmann and P.W. Bergholz. Factors that Predict the Likelihood of Listeria monocytogenes Contamination in Produce Fields. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Providence, RI, July 2012.


Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The forth year of the project has been completed and a one year no cost extension has been approved which will enable the completion of the various objectives proposed in the original grant. Obj 1 was performed to characterize prevalence, persistence, and diversity of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce fields and to determine landscape and meteorological factors that predict their presence. Farms were sampled 4 times per year for 2 years. A total of 588 samples were analyzed for L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and STEC E. coli. The prevalence measures of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and STEC were 15.0, 4.6, and 2.7%, respectively. L. monocytogenes and Salmonella were detected more frequently in water samples, while STEC was detected with equal frequency across all sample types. Soil available water storage (AWS), temperature, and proximity to three land cover classes: water, roads and urban development, and pasture/hay grass, influenced the likelihood of detecting L. monocytogenes. Drainage class, AWS, and precipitation were identified as important factors in Salmonella detection. Obj 2 and 3 involved the evaluation of glove type and texture and post-contamination drying time on the transfer of E. coli between gloves and lettuce. In the laboratory, leaves on Romaine lettuce plants were inoculated with approximately 6 log CFU/leaf of generic E. coli. After 6 or 24 h, pieces (100 cm2) of latex gloves were held on the inoculated lettuce surface for 5 s. In Salinas, CA field, heads of lettuce were inoculated at 7 log CFU/head and dried for 2 h. A single inoculated head of lettuce was harvested with an uninoculated glove before harvesting 20 additional uninoculated heads using the same glove. Latex gloves (disposable smooth or reusable textured) were inoculated with E. coli at 4.5 log CFU/glove, dried for 1 min, and used to harvest 20 heads of lettuce. The same transfer potential was investigated for tomatoes using mature green, round tomatoes with two types of gloves (reusable and single-use) and two hygienic conditions of reusable glove (clean and dirty). Uninoculated surface was touched with inoculated surface (6 log CFU/surface) for 5 s following 0 h, 1 h and 24 h drying. Tomatoes, 25 for clean and 10 for dirty gloves, were also touched subsequently with gloves after 0 h and 1 h drying time. Following stomaching (gloves) or rubbing (tomatoes), samples were enumerated. No significant differences in TCs were obtained between clean reusable and single-use as well as clean and dirty reusable gloves at three drying times (0 h, 1 h and 24 h), on touching single tomato with an inoculated glove surface, or with touching gloves with inoculated tomatoes at 0 and 1 h drying time. Drying the inoculum on tomato surface for 24 h results in significantly more Salmonella positive reusable glove samples. As part of Obj 4 (TX), the nationwide survey of fresh fruit and vegetable consumers to identify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors held by the population in regards to the role of the consumer in assuring a safe product in the home is being analyzed. Obj 5 was focused on the costs of adopting GAPs and the costs of third party certification. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Randy Worobo, PI, Cornell University; Dr. Martin Wiedmann, co-PI, Cornell University; Ms. Elizabeth Bihn, Ph.D. student, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University; Mr. John Churey, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Mr. Zeki Durak, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Ms. Esther Fortes, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Ms.Laura Strawn, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Dr. Michelle Danyluk, co-PI, University of Florida; Dr. Mindy Brashears, co-PI, Texas Tech University; Dr. Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University; Dr. Guy Loneragan, West Texas A & M University; Dr. Susanne Thornsbury, Michigan State University; Ms. Mollie Woods, Michigan State University; Dr.Linda Harris, University of California, Davis; Dr. Melissa Mundo, Director of Food Safety, Duda Produce Corporation; Ms. Kathleen O'Donnell, Chief Food Scientist, Wegman's; Dr.Chris Loss, Culinary Institute of America; Mr. Mark Seetin, US Apple Association; Ms.Debby Wechsler, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Consumers, fruit and vegetable growers, fruit and vegetable processors, culinary chefs, restaurant food handlers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The findings of objective 1 was used in a geographic information systems (GIS) framework to hypothesize locations of environmental reservoirs where the prevalence of foodborne pathogens may be elevated. A map developed for L. monocytogenes indicated that not all croplands are equally likely to contain environmental reservoirs of L. monocytogenes based on remotely-sensed environmental data. These findings advance science-based recommendations to minimize the risk of preharvest contamination by enhancing models of the environmental constraints on the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens in fields. The findings of objective 2 showed that under laboratory conditions, 10 to 100 cells of E. coli were transferred from inoculated lettuce leaves to gloves, irrespective of drying time or glove type. While under field conditions, after harvesting a single inoculated head of lettuce, sufficient cells were transferred to the glove such that E. coli was detected on 20 subsequent heads of lettuce more than 50% of the time, irrespective of glove type. When gloves were inoculated, E. coli was transferred to a greater proportion of lettuce heads when harvested with disposable gloves than with reusable gloves. Contaminated gloves can transfer E. coli to multiple heads of lettuce during harvest; in some cases glove type may impact this transfer. For tomatoes, it was shown that 25 tomatoes were touched with clean reusable and single-use gloves, TCs reduced significantly from third tomato and seventh tomato, respectively, while in case of dirty reusable gloves, no significant reductions were observed for all the 10 tomatoes. Transfer distribution models have been developed for use in future risk assessments. This study provides valuable insight into Salmonella transfer between gloves and mature, green tomatoes. Objective 5 findings have generated a spatial equilibrium model which explicitly incorporates third party certification costs as well as seasonality in a model of strawberry production and shipment in the North American region.

Publications

  • Grewal, P.K and M.D. Danyluk. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes under laboratory conditions. Submitted, Journal of Food Protection, November 2012.
  • Durak, M.Z., Churey, J.J., Gates, M., Sacks, G.L., and Worobo, R.W. 2012. Decontamination of green onions and baby spinach by vaporized ethyl pyruvate. J. Food Prot. 75(6): 1012-22.
  • Durak, M.Z., Churey, J.J., and Worobo, R.W. 2012. Efficacy of UV, acidified sodium hypochlorite, and mild heat for decontamination of surface and inflitrated Escherichia coli O157:H7 on green onions and baby spinach. J. Food Prot. 75(7): 1198-1206.
  • Durak, M.Z. 2012. Strategies to enhance the safety of fresh produce and improve the quality of fruit juice and beverages. Ph.D. thesis. Cornell University.
  • Yanamal, S., Miller, M.F., Loneragan, G.H., Gragg, S.E., and Brashears, M.M. 2011. Potential for microbial contamination of spinach through feedyard air/dust growing in close proximity to cattle feedyard operations. J. Food Safety: 31(4): 525-29.
  • Poster Presentation: Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2012. Salmonella transfer potential from gloves to multiple tomatoes during hand harvesting under laboratory conditions. Emerging Pathogens Research Day, Gainesville, FL.
  • Barela, H., & Brashears, M.T. (2010). A Comparison of Ethnicities in Perception and Behavior of Food Safety Practices. Poster presented at the Meeting of the Southern Region Agricultural Education Research Conference, Feb 7-9, Orlando, FL.
  • Strawn, L.K. 2012. T3-01 Factors that predict the likelihood of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in produce fields. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Providence, RI. July 2012.
  • Strawn, L.K., E.D. Fortes, E.A. Bihn, K.K. Nightingale, Y.T. Grohn, R.W. Worobo, M. Wiedmann, and P.W. Bergholz. Landscape and meteorological factors affecting the prevalence of three foodborne pathogens in fruit and vegetable farms. (In press, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2012).
  • Manns, D., Churey, J.J., and Worobo, R.W. 2012. Efficacy of a novel proteinaceous antifungal agent in fruit juices and teas. P2-84. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Providence, RI. July 2012.
  • Zhao, I.Y. July 2012. Evaluation of factors that influence cross contamination of Escherichia coli between gloves and lettuce during harvesting and fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on fresh-cut lettuce under conditions of consumer handling and storage. M.S. Thesis, UC Davis.
  • Barela, H.M. August 2011. A Cultural Comparison of Consumers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors of Produce Handling. M.S. Thesis, Texas Tech University.
  • Zhao, I.Y., and L.J. Harris. 2012. Evaluation of factors that influence the cross contamination of Escherichia coli between gloves and lettuce during harvesting. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Providence, RI, July 22-25.(Abstract P2-31)
  • Zhao, I.Y. and L.J. Harris. 2011. Evaluation of factors that impact transfer of Escherichia coli from gloves to surfaces. IAFP Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, July 31-August 3. (P3-137)


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Year three of this multistate collaborative grant project has been completed. The collaborators presented their preliminary findings of this grant in the forms of posters or invited talks at IAFP and ASM conferences. The research summary for each research objective are as follows: Objective 1 of this project was to characterize prevalence, persistence, and diversity of Listeria monocytogenes, shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Salmonella on produce farms in order to gain a better understanding of pathogen sources and transmission. Over the two year study a total of 178 soil, 174 water, 175 area drag swabs and 61 fecal samples were collected and cultured for the selected foodborne pathogens. The prevalence estimates for Listeria monocytogenes, STEC and Salmonella are 15% (88/588), 2.7% (16/588), and 4.6% (27/588), respectively. Within the samples positive for STEC, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli (12/16) were recovered more than E. coli O157:H7 (4/16). PFGE subtyping of 26 Salmonella isolates from positive samples revealed seven different PFGE types. In the TX leafy greens research trials, research was conducted to determine if spinach grown near cattle feedyards can become contaminated with microorganisms due to dust generation. Generic E. coli levels in exposed spinach placed at 0 yards increased by 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 logs after 6, 12 and 24 hours, respectively. These increases were significant when compared to control samples (P=0.0456). At 20 and 50 yards, there was an increase in generic E. coli, with significantly less E. coli on spinach placed at farther distances. After 24 hours, 50 yard samples contained 12.96 logs less Salmonella than 0 yard samples. Salmonella transfer coefficients (TC) between tomatoes and harvesting gloves (Obj 2)showed significant differences in TCs were obtained between clean reusable and single-use as well as clean and dirty reusable gloves at three drying times (0 h, 1 h and 24 h), on touching single tomato with an inoculated glove surface. When 25 tomatoes were touched with clean reusable and single-use gloves, TCs reduced significantly from third tomato and seventh tomato, respectively, while in case of dirty reusable gloves, no significant reductions were observed for all the 10 tomatoes. The TC and persistence of pathogens on romaine lettuce in field trials is continuing. Obj 3 (NY, CA, FL) involving data collection of current produce handling practices of food service & retail companies is ongoing. This will provide the basis for establishing key implementation practices to enhance the safety of produce. As part of Obj 4 (TX), the nationwide survey of fresh fruit and vegetable consumers to identify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors held by the population in regards to the role of the consumer in assuring a safe product in the home is being analyzed. Personal interviews with fruit and vegetable growers to collect data on the costs of third party certification when multiple crops are produced by a single farm (Obj 5) is being performed. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Randy Worobo, PI, Cornell University; Dr. Martin Wiedmann, co-PI, Cornell University; Ms. Elizabeth Bihn, Ph.D. student, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University; Mr. John Churey, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Mr. Zeki Durak, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Ms. Esther Fortes, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Ms.Laura Strawn, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Dr. Michelle Danyluk, co-PI, University of Florida; Dr. Mindy Brashears, co-PI, Texas Tech University; Dr. Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University; Dr. Guy Loneragan, West Texas A & M University; Dr. Susanne Thornsbury, Michigan State University; Ms. Mollie Woods, Michigan State University; Dr.Linda Harris, University of California, Davis; Dr. Melissa Mundo, Director of Food Safety, Duda Produce Corporation; Ms. Kathleen O'Donnell, Chief Food Scientist, Wegman's; Dr.Chris Loss, Culinary Institute of America; Mr. Mark Seetin, US Apple Association; Ms.Debby Wechsler, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Consumers, fruit and vegetable growers, fruit and vegetable processors, culinary chefs, restaurant food handlers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury of Michigan State University has left her original faculty position and her current affiliation is USDA. Mollie Woods of Michigan State University who was responsible for the data collection and analysis will remain at MSU and will assume complete responsibilities for the MSU portion of the grant project.

Impacts
From the pathogen prevalence in leafy green production environments, subtypes of Listeria monocytogenes were recovered at multiple sampling periods indicating possible persistence of subtypes in the preharvest environment. The prevalence of non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and the emergence of non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli outbreaks associated with produce suggests future monitoring and testing for these pathogens be incorporated into growers and packers food safety plans. Overall, the molecular characterization of positive samples and incorporation of GIS based data (landscape features, meteorological data and soil characteristics (analysis ongoing) should identify likely pathogen reservoirs on and off site, as well as models of pathogen transmission. Dust contamination from animal feedlots in dry environments appears to be a significant source of pathogen contamination for leafy green crops if grown in close proximity, less than 50 yards from animal feedlots. The preliminary results from the transfer coefficients of mature green tomatoes and gloves, suggests the critical importance of clean gloves, both reuseable and single use, is important for possibly reducing pathogen contamination during harvesting. Irrigation intervention methods utilizing ultraviolet treatment systems is feasible for extreme variations in water turbidity and quality.

Publications

  • Brar, P.K., and M.D. Danyluk. 2011. Salmonella transfer potential from gloves to multiple tomatoes during hand harvesting under laboratory conditions. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, Gainesville, FL.
  • Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. 2011. Detection and confirmation of Salmonella from samples previously identified as positive using selective enrichment and PCR. Florida Association for Food Protection Annual Education Conference, Captiva, FL
  • Brar, P.K. 2011. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes under laboratory conditions. MS Thesis, University of Florida.
  • L.K. Strawn, E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, K. K. Nightingale, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. 2011. Pathogens in Produce Production Environments: A Longitudinal Study of Fruit and Vegetable Farms in New York State. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
  • P. Bergholz. 2011. GIS Modeling of pathogen persistence and transmission for pre-harvest food safety. Food Microbiology Issues Session. 46th Annual Region I Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Randolph, MA
  • S. Yanamala, M. F. Miller. G. H. Loneragan, S. E. Gragg, and M. M. Brashears. 2011. Potential for Microbial Contamination of Spinach through Feedyard Air/Dust Growing in Close Proximity to Cattle Feedyard Operations. Journal of Food Science.
  • M. Zeki Durak, John J. Churey, and Randy W. Worobo. 2011. Decontamination of Green Onions and Spinach Using Gaseous Ethyl Pyruvate. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
  • M. Zeki Durak, John J. Churey, and Randy W. Worobo. 2011. Postharvest Intervention Methods and Combined Treatments to Decontaminate Spinach. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
  • G.K.P. Guron, J.J. Churey, R.W. Worobo. 2011. Characterization of Self-lethality Phenotype of Mundticin L Producer, Enterococcus mundtii CUGF08. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI
  • K. Assatarakul, J.J. Churey, R.W. Worobo. 2011. Inhibitory effect of dimethyl dicarbonate on Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and physicochemical properties of apple juice. IFT Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA
  • E. A. BIHN, John J. Churey, K. J. Mangione, C. A. Ford, W. F. Lyons and R. W. Worobo. 2011. Assessing the Quality of Surface Water Utilized for Fresh Produce Production in New York. International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Year two of this multistate collaborative grant project has been completed. The collaborators met at the annual International Association for Food Protection in Anaheim, CA (August, 2010). All the collaborators presented their preliminary findings of this grant in the forms of posters or invited talks. The field study for Obj 1 focus to determine baseline prevalence, persistence and trends of foodborne pathogens has revealed prevalence estimates for L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and Salmonella to be 17.9% (56/312), 1.0% (3/312), 2.2% (7/312) and 2.9% (9/312), respectively, from a total of 312 samples. The addition of a multistate (NY, FL, CO, TX) cross sectional study has been initiated to identify risk factors and access farm managerial practices that potentially contribute to pathogens in the produce farm environment. TX studies showed produce exposed to feedlot dust had increased bacterial contamination compared to controls. Distance from feedlot was associated with level of contamination and the effect is reduced if plants are grown farther away from the feedlot area. Determination of Salmonella transfer coefficients (Obj 2) using 3 Salmonella transfer scenarios using clean gloves have been completed: a) from gloves to tomatoes; b) from tomatoes to gloves and c) from glove to up to twenty five subsequently touched tomatoes. Transfer was evaluated with a wet inoculum, and inoculum that has dried for 1 and 24 h. When the inoculum is wet (0 & 1 h drying), there is no difference in transfer between single use and reusable clean gloves. When dry (24h dry), higher transfer is observed from clean reusable than from clean single use gloves. Salmonella transfers to at least 10 subsequently touched tomatoes for both single use & reusable gloves, however less than 1% transfer is observed for tomatoes after the 6th one, intermittent transfer is seen beyond the 10th tomato. Additional research to develop techniques for inoculation and recovery of attenuated E. coli O157:H7 from gloves & Romaine lettuce has been initiated and preliminary data collected using Romaine lettuce in a field trial. Gloves were inoculated, the inoculum dried and a series of heads of Romaine were harvested and monitored for organism transfer from glove to lettuce. In addition, lettuce heads were inoculated & transfer from lettuce to glove to subsequent uninoculated lettuce was documented. Obj 3 (NY, CA, FL) involving current produce handling practices of food service & retail companies is currently being evaluated. This will provide the basis for establishing key implementation practices to enhance the safety of produce. As part of Obj 4 (TX), a nationwide survey of fresh fruit and vegetable consumers is being completed and analysis will be performed on this data to identify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors held by the population in regards to the role of the consumer in assuring a safe product in the home. Data collection for Obj 5 through interviewing food safety & produce production specialist is continuing. Evaluation of current GAPs & cGMP training materials is on-going and will incorporate Obj 1-4 findings. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Randy Worobo, PI, Cornell University; Dr. Martin Wiedmann, co-PI, Cornell University; Ms. Elizabeth Bihn, Ph.D. student, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University; Mr. John Churey, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Mr. Zeki Durak, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Ms. Esther Fortes, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Ms. Laura Strawn, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Dr. Michelle Danyluk, co-PI, University of Florida; Dr. Mindy Brashears, co-PI, Texas Tech University; Dr. Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University; Dr. Guy Loneragan, West Texas A & M University; Dr. Susanne Thornsbury, Michigan State University; Ms. Mollie Woods, Michigan State University; Dr. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis; Dr. Melissa Mundo, Director of Food Safety, Duda Produce Corporation; Ms. Kathleen O'Donnell, Chief Food Scientist, Wegman's; Dr. Chris Loss, Culinary Institute of America; Mr. Mark Seetin, US Apple Association; Ms. Debby Wechsler, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Consumers, fruit and vegetable growers, fruit and vegetable processors, culinary chefs, restaurant food handlers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The addition of a multistate (NY, FL, CO, TX) cross sectional study has been added and initiated to identify risk factors and access farm managerial practices that potentially contribute to pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and Salmonella) in the produce farm environment.

Impacts
The preliminary review of the data collected thus far from the Obj 1 findings, shows high numbers of positive samples are found during specific time points, indicating the relationship between high pathogen contamination on the produce farm, potentially leading to an outbreak, and stochastic events. This relationship will be used to identify key prevention point(s) for produce growers. Based on the recent data generated for produce production and cattle feed lot proximity, and those published elsewhere, a model of risk-based model pathogen movement from concentrated animal feedlot operations (in particular cattle) will be generated and incorporated into GAP and Farm Food Safety Plan recommendations and training. The preliminary data from Obj 2 demonstrate that the amount of bacteria transferred from gloves is very low but detectable by enrichment over multiple heads and the use of clean reusable gloves has higher transfer than that of clean single use gloves. This data will be developed as science based recommendations as part of updated cGMPs for produce workers and handlers. The survey information of current produce handling procedures used by retail,food service, and consumers (Obj 3 and 4) will identify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors held by the population in regards to the role of the handlers (retail, food service, and consumers) in assuring a safe product. Gaps in produce safety knowledge will be the basis for the development of appropriate outreach materials, training activities, and course development. Continuation of current GAPs and cGMP training (Obj 6)by all collaborators have resulted in more than 25 workshops and trained more than 900 industry members and regulatory personnel. The graduate and undergraduate students involved in the research projects will continue to work on the various projects covering objectives 1-6 as the research portion of their degrees at the various institutions. Once completed, the students will be trained in their respective disciplines relating to produce safety and production.

Publications

  • Feng, G., J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. Naturally occurring bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria as bioprotective cultures to enhance the safety of sprouts. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, August 2010.
  • Durak, M.Z., J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 on green onions. 2010. IFT Annual Conference. Chicago, IL.
  • Strawn L.K., E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Isolation and Detection of Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and Salmonella from produce farms. International Association of Food Protection Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, August 2010.
  • Strawn L.K., E. D. Fortes, E. A. Bihn, R. W. Worobo and M. Wiedmann. Isolation and Detection of Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli and Salmonella from produce farms. Cornell University Infection and Pathobiology Annual Retreat, Owego, NY, October 2010. Best Poster Award
  • Brar, P.K. and M.D. Danyluk. Salmonella transfer potential during hand harvesting of tomatoes. 2010 International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
  • Brar, P.K., and M.D. Danyluk. Salmonella transfer during hand harvesting of tomatoes. 2010 Florida Association for Food Protection Annual Education Conference, N. Miami Beach, FL.
  • Dong Q, Manns DC, Feng G, Yue T, Churey JJ, Worobo RW. 2010. Reduction of patulin in apple cider by UV radiation.J Food Prot. 73(1):69-74.


Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This multi-state collaborative research and extension project was initiated over the past 12 months. An orientation meeting with collaborators & advisory group was conducted in Dallas, TX. Each collaborator presented current & proposed research/extension projects to the group. The open discussion allowed for in-depth discussion & input from advisory group members. As a summary, the goals, objectives and methodologies were modified as needed to ensure cohesiveness and consistency between the collaborators. In addition, additional advisory board members were suggested and have been invited to serve on the advisory board for this project. As a means to provide continual research & extension updates, conference calls with the collaborators has been conducted. The regular conference calls provided the collaborators the opportunity to discuss current research & extension project updates and trouble shooting for specific issues. A website for the project and the collaborators has been developed. A field study was conducted in NY to determine the prevalence and diversity of Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli & Salmonella in produce farms (Obj 1). Area drag swabs & samples of water, soil & fecal material were collected in the summer (June-Aug) & fall (Sept-Oct) from five produce farms of various sizes. Out of 127 total samples collected over two visits 17.3%, 0.79%, 2.36% and 0.79% were positive for L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 shiga toxin producing E. coli & Salmonella, respectively, indicating a high L. monocytogenes prevalence. Salmonella transfer potential from gloves, clothing, and picking buckets, during the hand harvesting of mature green, round, staked tomatoes has begun (Obj 2). An abstract of this work is being prepared for presentation at the IAFP Annual Meeting this summer in CA. To meet the goals of obj 3 (NY, CA, FL), food service & retail companies have been identified and contacted to perform an evaluation of current produce handling practices. This will provide the basis to identify key practices that need to be implemented or improved to enhance the safety of fruits and vegetables. As part of obj 4 (TX), Modified Matrix Analysis is being used as the tool to assess what consumers know and what they need to know with regards to produce safety. A contract survey company (Zoomerang) is being used to conduct a consumer survey using survey questions specific to current consumer produce handling practices. Obj 5 involving the economics of food safety practices for leafy greens & tomatoes focused on development of our framework to analyze the costs & benefits associated with adoption of food safety practices. Data collection began with interviews with food safety and produce production specialists. We also established contacts with other academic researchers who will be able to help us collect data on costs & impacts. Evaluation of current GAPs & cGMP training materials is on-going and will incorporate data generated by the research obj 1-4. All collaborators have identified students that have already been responsible for conducting portions of the research for obj 1-5. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Randy Worobo, PI, Cornell University; Dr. Martin Wiedmann, co-PI, Cornell University; Ms. Elizabeth Bihn, Ph.D. student, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University; Mr. John Churey, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Mr. Zeki Durak, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Ms. Esther Fortes, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University; Ms. Laura Strawn, Ph.D. candidate, Cornell University; Dr. Michelle Danyluk, co-PI, University of Florida; Dr. Mindy Brashears, co-PI, Texas Tech University; Dr. Todd Brashears, Texas Tech University; Dr. Guy Loneragan, West Texas A & M University; Dr. Susanne Thornsbury, Michigan State University; Ms. Mollie Woods, Michigan State University; Dr. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis; Dr. Melissa Mundo, Director of Food Safety, Duda Produce Corporation; Ms. Kathleen O'Donnell, Chief Food Scientist, Wegman's; Dr. Chris Loss, Culinary Institute of America; Mr. Mark Seetin, US Apple Association; Ms. Debby Wechsler, North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association TARGET AUDIENCES: Consumers, fruit and vegetable growers, fruit and vegetable processors, culinary chefs, restaurant food handlers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The initiation of the various portions of this project has already provided preliminary results on the incidence and prevalence of foodborne pathogens related to environmental sources (Obj 1). Additional samplings over multiple years, different locations and a variety of environmental sources will analyzed to identify key entry points. Interestingly, multiple samples tested positive for the same L. monocytogenes strain over the two visits indicating persistence of L. monocytogenes in the produce farm environment. Similarly, pathogen transfer modeling (Obj 2) initially using tomatoes and lettuce will provide insight into the fate of pathogens as they enter through production environments or at the processing level. These data will provide critical information on the potential for various production and processing environments to spread pathogen contamination, and the subsequent fate of these organisms through the remainder of the supply chain. These data will be used to guide the industry on areas where pathogen transfer is most profound and control or sanitation would be most effective. The survey information of current produce handling practices used by the retail and food service industries (objective 3) will provide comprehensive information on fruit and vegetable food safety knowledge in the retail & food service industry, and will be the basis for the development of appropriate outreach materials, training activities, and course development. Similarly, the consumer survey of current handling practices and knowledge will be used to develop consumer produce handling education materials that target areas that are identified as lacking based on the initial consumer survey results (objective 4). Current GAPs and cGMP training materials are being used for outreach activities and cumulatively, the collaborators have given more than 20 workshops and trained more than 800 industry members. As new training materials are developed (objective 6), additional workshops and training materials will be offered to extension educators, the produce industry, regulatory agencies, and academia. The graduate and undergraduate students responsible for the first year of research projects will continue to work on the various projects covering objectives 1-6 as the research portion of their degree. Once completed, the students will be trained in their respective disciplines relating to fruit and vegetable safety.

Publications

  • Salomao, B. C. M., G. M. F. Aragao, J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. 2009. Influence of storage temperature and apple variety on patulin production by Penicillium expansum. . J Food Prot. 72(5):2618-22.
  • Salomao, B. C. M., G. M. F. Aragao, J.J. Churey, and R. W. Worobo. 2009. Modeling Penicillium expansum resistance to thermal and chlorine treatments. J. Food Prot. In press.
  • Basaran-Akgul N., Churey J.J, Basaran P., Worobo R.W. 2009. Inactivation of different strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in various apple ciders treated with dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) as an alternative method. Food Microbiol. Feb;26(1):8-15. Epub 2008 Aug 22.