The FDA’s big news is that there is now an EPA-approved protocol for developing pathogen treatments for pre-harvest agricultural water. The agency’s nagging news is that its inspectors still can’t collect water or any other samples from animal ag operations without the express permission of the landowners.

The FDA’s top
Continue Reading FDA has big hopes for outbreak research with new water protocols

One in every five air samples in almond orchards adjacent to a poultry operation tested positive for E. coli during a two-year study published recently.

“Microorganisms Move a Short Distance into an Almond Orchard from an Adjacent Upwind Poultry Operation” comes as romaine growers continue to study the impact of
Continue Reading New study shows link between animal operation and orchard contamination

Along with feedlot dust blowing in the wind and surface irrigation water flowing adjacent to feedlots, flies captured in leafy greens plots near feedlots are capable of transferring E. coli from animal operations to produce fields.

Set for publication in August in the “Journal of Food Protection,” new research from
Continue Reading Researchers confirm flies can transfer E. coli from feedlots to produce fields

“Guarded optimism.” That’s the way Elston Grubaugh, general manager of the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District in the eastern Yuma, AZ, growing area describes his thoughts about the current romaine lettuce season.

In 2018, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma area
Continue Reading Yuma romaine growers hopeful harvest will end without E. coli issues

Citing an estimated 2 million U.S. illnesses caused annually because of contaminated meat and poultry and resulting health care costs of almost $6 billion, a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts is calling for renewed commitment from government and industry to reduce microorganisms before animals reach the slaughterhouse.

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Continue Reading Pew report encourages investments to reduce contamination

Current guidelines for the minimum distance between cattle feed lots and fresh produce growing fields are likely inadequate to ensure leafy greens are not contaminated with E. coli from dust and manure. “Additional research is needed to determine safe set-back distances between cattle feedlots and crop production that will reduce
Continue Reading Research shows feedlot link to E. coli O157:H7 on leafy greens