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  • Title: Modelling the contamination of lettuce with Escherichia coli O157:H7 from manure-amended soil and the effect of intervention strategies.
    Author: Franz E, Semenov AV, van Bruggen AH.
    Journal: J Appl Microbiol; 2008 Nov; 105(5):1569-84. PubMed ID: 19146493.
    Abstract:
    AIMS: A growing number of foodborne illnesses has been associated with the consumption of fresh produce. In this study, the probability of lettuce contamination with Escherichia coli O157:H7 from manure-amended soil and the effect of intervention strategies was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pathogen prevalence and densities were modelled probabilistically through the primary production chain of lettuce (manure, manure-amended soil and lettuce). The model estimated an average of 0.34 contaminated heads per hectare. A minimum manure storage time of 30 days and a minimum fertilization-to-planting interval of 60 days was most successful in reducing the risk. Some specific organic farming practices concerning manure and soil management were found to be risk reducing. CONCLUSIONS: Certain specific organic farming practices reduced the likelihood of contamination. This cannot be generalized to organic production as a whole. However, the conclusion is relevant for areas like the Netherlands where there is high use of manure in both organic and conventional vegetable production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Recent vegetable-associated disease outbreaks stress the importance of a safe vegetable production chain. The present study contributed to this by providing a first estimate of the likelihood of lettuce contamination with E. coli O157:H7 and the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies.
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