Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the fi rst time we linked a spinach or lettuce
E. coli
O157:H7 outbreak to test
results from a specifi c ranch in the Salinas Valley,” said California State Public Health
Offi cer Dr. Mark Horton (California Department of Health Services Media Release
2006 ).
Summary
Following the September 2006
E. coli
O157:H7 outbreak linked to Natural Selections
Foods, the California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT) conducted an
investigation of the spinach supply chain (including growing conditions, harvesting,
washing, and packaging). Investigators observed conditions and collected fi nished
product and environmental samples. CalFERT investigators found no
E. coli
O157:H7
at the processing site and reported that: “no obvious sources for introduction of the
pathogen were identifi ed at the processing facility. However, a number of conditions
were observed that may have provided opportunities for the spread of pathogens, if
pathogens arrived on incoming spinach.” CalFERT investigators reported that
E. coli
O157:H7 was discovered in environmental samples taken from near each of the four
fi elds linked to the outbreak-linked product codes. CalFERT investigators also reported
that only one of the sampled fi elds produced
E. coli
O157:H7 isolates that matched
the outbreak strain. These matching samples were taken from river water, cattle feces,
and wild pig feces. Investigators reportedly found evidence of wild pigs among cattle
pastures as well as in the spinach production fi elds. It was also found that there was
a lack of fencing to keep wild animals such as pigs out of fi elds and that a well used
for irrigation had a damaged casing. CalFERT investigators reported that a small
amount of land on this site was leased to Mission Organics for a transitional ready-
to-eat organic spinach product. The product was being grown to organic standards but
was being sold as conventional during a 3-year transition period. Ultimately, investiga-
tors showed that the
E. coli
O157:H7 was found on a transitional organic spinach fi eld
and was the same serotype as that found in a neighboring grass-fed cow-calf
operation.
These fi ndings, coupled with the public outcry linked to the outbreak and the media
coverage, sparked a myriad of changes and initiatives by the industry, government,
and others. One question remains, which may never be answered: Why this outbreak
at this time? A decade of evidence existed highlighting problems with fresh produce
and warning letters were written, and yet little seemed to have been accomplished.
The real challenge for food safety professionals, is to garner support for safe food
practices in the absence of an outbreak, to create a culture that values microbiologi-
cally safe food from farm-to-fork at all times, and not just in response to the glare of
the media spotlight.
References
Allwood , P.B. , Malik , Y.S. , Maherchandani , S. , Vought , K. , Johnson , L. , Braymen , C. , Hedberg , C.W. and
Goyal , S.M. 2004 . Occurrence of Escherichia coli, noroviruses, and F - specifi c coliphages in fresh
market - ready produce . Journal of Food Protection 67 : 2387 - 2390 .
Bartz , J.A. 1982 . Infi ltration of tomatoes immersed at different temperatures to different depths in suspen-
sions of
Erwinia carotovora
subsp.
carotovora
. Plant Disease 66 : 302 - 305 .
