Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 8.1.
Summary of produce-associated foodborne disease outbreaks with possible fecal contamination
Pathogen
Product
Contaminated
Number
of Cases
Y e a r ,
Location
Comments
References
E. coli
O157:H7
Potatoes
24
1985, U.K.
Cow manure contamination of potatoes was implicated.
Morgan and others 1988
8
1995, U.K.
Manure was used as the fertilizer for growing potatoes; however,
the pathogen was not detected on the implicated potatoes.
Chapman and others 1997
Lettuce
92
1995, U.S.
Possible routes of contamination included fertilizing fi elds with
improperly aged cattle manure-based compost, application of
cattle manure-contaminated irrigation water, and direct or
indirect exposure to ruminant feces.
Ackers and others 1998
Alfalfa sprouts
108
1997, U.S.
Seeds were possibly contaminated by cattle manure from nearby
feedlots, deer feces, or fecally contaminated irrigation water.
Breuer and others 2001
Mesclun lettuce
49
1996, U.S.
Cattle were found near the fi elds where lettuce was grown.
Hilborn and others 1999
120
2005, Sweden
Fecal contaminated irrigation water application to lettuce crop
was implicated as transmission vehicle.
S ö derstr ö m and others
2005
Spinach
205
2006, U.S.
Direct and indirect contamination with animal feces; outbreak
strain from spinach matched those from cattle and feral swine
feces at one ranch suspected of producing contaminated
spinach.
CDC 2006 ; FDA 2006
Vegetables
4
1992, U.S.
Vegetable garden was fertilized with cow manure and the
pathogen was isolated from the manured soil.
Cieslak and others 1993
Apple juice
(unpasteurized)
23
1991, U.S.
Dropped apples were used in making cider, and cattle raised
near where apples were picked.
Besser and others 1993
56
1996, U.S.
Dropped apples in an orchard where cattle and deer feces were
present were used in juice production.
CDC 1996 ; Cody and
others 1999
14
1998, Canada
Dropped apples were used in juice production after cattle had
been kept in the orchard before harvesting.
Tamblyn and others 1999
7
1999, U.S.
Dropped apples contaminated with domestic and/or wild animal
manure were used in juice production.
Farber 2000
