Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
•
How are various intervention methods compared? What standards or metrics can be
used to verify the levels of risk reduction achieved through the interventions that
are used?
•
What nonpathogenic organism(s), i.e., surrogate(s), would be a verifi able indicator
for
E. coli
O157 : H7? For
Salmonella
?
•
Can food contact surfaces be modifi ed to provide antimicrobial characteristics or
barriers to microbial attachment?
•
What aspects of modifi ed atmosphere packaging (MAP) can be used to enhance
active packaging technology?
This summary of information presented in previous chapters provides a framework
for identifying key research needs and a starting point for future research approaches
that will improve the safety of fresh produce. This list of recommendations is neither
exhaustive nor immutable. It must be adaptable and responsive to changing conditions
and newly emerging information on produce contamination and safety. The signifi -
cance and complexity of the problem facing researchers in industry, government and
academia may seem daunting, but focused research efforts by recognized experts will
provide a better scientifi c understanding of the issues. This will guide advances in the
most important areas of research and will ultimately provide the development of tools
to improve the safety of fresh and fresh-cut produce for consumers.
References
Cooley MB , Chao DK , Mandrell RE . 2006 . Escherichia coli O157 : H7 survival and growth on lettuce is
altered by the presence of epiphytic bacteria. Journal of Food Protection 69 : 10 : 2329 - 2335 .
FDA. 2008. U.S. Food and Drug Administration—Final Rule (73 FR 49593), Irradiation in the Production,
Processing and Handling of Food 21 CFR Part 179. Available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
∼
lrd/fr080822.
html, accessed Oct 22, 2008.
FEPSRI . 2007 . Fresh Express Produce Safety Research Initiative . Available at http://www.freshexpress.
com/research/research.asp, accessed Oct 22, 2008.
Gombas D. 2008 . Researching the right questions . Fresh - Cut, February 2008, p. 19.
Gourabathini P , Brandl MT , Redding KS , Gunderson JH , Berk SG . 2008 . Interactions between foodborne
pathogens and protozoa isolated from lettuce and spinach. Applied and Environmental Microbiology
75 ( 8 ): 2518 - 2525 .
JIFSAN. 2007. Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition—Tomato Safety Research Needs
Workshop Available at http://www.jifsan.umd.edu/tomato_wkp2007.htm, accessed Oct 22, 2008.
NRI . 2008 . National Research Initiative , USDA - CSREES. Available at http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/
foodsafetynri.cfm, accessed Oct 22, 2008.
UFPA . 2007 . United Fresh Produce Association — Leafy Greens Food Safety Research Conference .
Available at http://www.unitedfresh.org/newsviews/leafy_greens_food_safety_research, accessed Oct
22, 2008.
