Food Safety- What We Know and Don’t Know Faith Critzer, Ph.D. Food Safety Extension Specialist The University of Tennessee

Overview Farm to School Program Farm to School Program Foodborne illness associated with produce Foodborne illness associated with produce Ways to minimize food safety risks with fresh produce Ways to minimize food safety risks with fresh produce Upcoming food safety regulations Upcoming food safety regulations Food safety and small to medium growers Food safety and small to medium growers What does this all mean? What does this all mean?

Farm to School Program Efforts put forth to increase per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables Efforts put forth to increase per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables Healthy People 2020 Healthy People 2020 USDA Economic Research Service has estimated that fruit consumption will increased by 24-27% between 2000 and 2020 (Lin, 2004) USDA Economic Research Service has estimated that fruit consumption will increased by 24-27% between 2000 and 2020 (Lin, 2004)

Farm to School Program Farm to School Program began in late 90’s Farm to School Program began in late 90’s Promote incorporation of local foods into the school nutrition program Promote incorporation of local foods into the school nutrition program Expanded over past years to include learning experiences Expanded over past years to include learning experiences School gardens School gardens Farm field trips Farm field trips Agriculture-based curricula Agriculture-based curricula

Foodborne Illness Linked to Produce It has been estimated that harmful foodborne bacteria “pathogens” account for 47.8 million illnesses annually in the United States (Scallan, 2011) It has been estimated that harmful foodborne bacteria “pathogens” account for 47.8 million illnesses annually in the United States (Scallan, 2011) 3 out of every 20 people 3 out of every 20 people Outbreaks linked to consumption of fresh cut fruits and vegetables are increasing (Sivapalasingam, 2004). Outbreaks linked to consumption of fresh cut fruits and vegetables are increasing (Sivapalasingam, 2004) to 1997, the % of outbreak-associated cases attributed to fresh produce increased from <1% to 6% while the median size of these outbreaks doubled 1973 to 1997, the % of outbreak-associated cases attributed to fresh produce increased from <1% to 6% while the median size of these outbreaks doubled

Foodborne Illness Food Category QALY Loss* Cost of Illness ($ Mil.) IllnessesHospitalizationsDeaths 1Poultry14,7442,4621,538,46811, Complex foods 7,5182,0783,001,85811, Pork7,8301,894449,3224, Produce6,1711,4041,193,9707, Beef5,7661,338760,7994, * Quality Adjusted Life Years Batz 2011

Minimizing Produce Food Safety Risks Produce is a very important part of a well-rounded diet Produce is a very important part of a well-rounded diet Important to increase per capita consumption of all produce Important to increase per capita consumption of all produce Fresh fruits and vegetables do not have a heating step which can inactivate foodborne pathogen Fresh fruits and vegetables do not have a heating step which can inactivate foodborne pathogen Shift emphasis to practices in cultivation, harvesting, processing, and storage to prevent contamination with pathogens Shift emphasis to practices in cultivation, harvesting, processing, and storage to prevent contamination with pathogens

Food Safety for Produce Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Cultivation and harvesting practices that minimize the risk of fruits and vegetables being contaminated with pathogens Cultivation and harvesting practices that minimize the risk of fruits and vegetables being contaminated with pathogens Example areas of focus: worker hygiene, irrigation water quality, manure and compost use, pesticide use, animal exclusion, and pest control Example areas of focus: worker hygiene, irrigation water quality, manure and compost use, pesticide use, animal exclusion, and pest control

Food Safety for Produce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) or Good Handling Practices (GHPs) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) or Good Handling Practices (GHPs) Processing practices to reduce the risk of fruits and vegetables being contaminated with pathogens Processing practices to reduce the risk of fruits and vegetables being contaminated with pathogens Example areas of focus: worker hygiene, processing water quality, sanitary operations during packing and storage, pest control, cleaning and sanitation of food contact surfaces and environment Example areas of focus: worker hygiene, processing water quality, sanitary operations during packing and storage, pest control, cleaning and sanitation of food contact surfaces and environment

Food Safety Plans for Produce Increasing demand for fruit and vegetable growers to develop food safety plans outlining their: Increasing demand for fruit and vegetable growers to develop food safety plans outlining their: Practices Practices Training Training Documenting their adherence to these practices Documenting their adherence to these practices

Food Safety Plans for Produce Each grower will conduct a risk assessment for their site- identify biological, chemical, and physical hazards Each grower will conduct a risk assessment for their site- identify biological, chemical, and physical hazards Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points(HACCP)- based system Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points(HACCP)- based system Develop practices specific to their farm and produce types based on GAPs and GMPs Develop practices specific to their farm and produce types based on GAPs and GMPs Buyers will require independent third party audits of the food safety plan Buyers will require independent third party audits of the food safety plan If passed, growers become GAP certified If passed, growers become GAP certified Audits conducted on an annual basis Audits conducted on an annual basis

Food Safety Plans- GAP Certification Voluntary for growers, but many would see significant reduction in market if not adopted Voluntary for growers, but many would see significant reduction in market if not adopted Now required by the majority of foodservice and retail grocers Now required by the majority of foodservice and retail grocers

Upcoming Produce Safety Regulations Food Safety Modernization Act Food Safety Modernization Act Signed into law January 2011 Signed into law January 2011 Preventative Controls and Produce Safety Regulations to be developed by FDA Preventative Controls and Produce Safety Regulations to be developed by FDA Draft Regulations soon to be announced Draft Regulations soon to be announced Comment period Comment period Final regulation will be established by FDA Final regulation will be established by FDA

Produce Safety Regulation will require development of produce safety plans- cultivation and harvesting Preventative Controls Regulation will require development of preventative controls plan- packing/processing facilities

Food Safety Modernization Act Exemptions Small growers will be exempt (Tester Amendment) if: Small growers will be exempt (Tester Amendment) if: <$500,000 in total sales <$500,000 in total sales Majority of sales direct market Majority of sales direct market Sold within 275 miles or the same state Sold within 275 miles or the same state Many of the small to medium growers that may be selling directly to schools in the Farm to School Program will be exempt from these regulations Many of the small to medium growers that may be selling directly to schools in the Farm to School Program will be exempt from these regulations

A Survey of Practices for Small to Medium Growers >25% of respondents were inappropriately using raw manure on fields as a soil amendment >25% of respondents were inappropriately using raw manure on fields as a soil amendment Nearly 15% used untested well water for irrigation Nearly 15% used untested well water for irrigation 16% used untested well water and 0.4% used surface water for processing fruits and vegetables 16% used untested well water and 0.4% used surface water for processing fruits and vegetables >5% did not have handwashing or bathroom facilities near the field or packing area >5% did not have handwashing or bathroom facilities near the field or packing area >40% did not use sanitizers on food contact surfaces >40% did not use sanitizers on food contact surfaces (Harrison 2011)

Size Doesn’t Matter… August 2011, 15 people sickened and 1 person died from E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Jaquith Strawberry Farm August 2011, 15 people sickened and 1 person died from E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to Jaquith Strawberry Farm 35-acre strawberry farm 35-acre strawberry farm Most products sold at roadside stands and farmers’ markets Most products sold at roadside stands and farmers’ markets Deer in field most likely cause of contamination Deer in field most likely cause of contamination 10% of environmental samples testing positive 10% of environmental samples testing positive Terry 2011

Farm to School Produce Safety Produce which will receive a “kill step” such as heating by the school system during production will inactivate foodborne pathogens present Produce which will receive a “kill step” such as heating by the school system during production will inactivate foodborne pathogens present Chemical ( e.g. pesticide) and Physical ( e.g. glass) hazards still a concern Chemical ( e.g. pesticide) and Physical ( e.g. glass) hazards still a concern Fresh fruits and vegetables do not have any steps that effectively reduce biological, chemical, or physical hazards Fresh fruits and vegetables do not have any steps that effectively reduce biological, chemical, or physical hazards

Farm to School Produce Safety USDA Farm to School Team 2010 Summary Report (LaCorte 2011) USDA Farm to School Team 2010 Summary Report (LaCorte 2011) 15 school districts active in farm to school 15 school districts active in farm to school Food service directors identified food safety as a key concern for all foods Food service directors identified food safety as a key concern for all foods None of the 15 districts required GAP certification None of the 15 districts required GAP certification Directors indicated that they did not have the training or knowledge base to adequately evaluate food safety practices of growers Directors indicated that they did not have the training or knowledge base to adequately evaluate food safety practices of growers

What We Don’t Know What type of food safety practices are in place at various produce farms if they are not independently audited What type of food safety practices are in place at various produce farms if they are not independently audited No farmer would intentionally sell contaminated product, yet it still occurs No farmer would intentionally sell contaminated product, yet it still occurs How school nutrition directors will address food safety concerns with fresh produce How school nutrition directors will address food safety concerns with fresh produce They must evaluate the risk and determine what food safety requirements will be required for locally sourced produce They must evaluate the risk and determine what food safety requirements will be required for locally sourced produce

What We Know Children are more susceptible to foodborne pathogens Children are more susceptible to foodborne pathogens Produce does cause foodborne illness Produce does cause foodborne illness 1.1 million illnesses annually 1.1 million illnesses annually Market has driven produce safety standards up until now Market has driven produce safety standards up until now GAP Certification opens many markets for farmers GAP Certification opens many markets for farmers Must rely on appropriate food safety practices being implemented to reduce risk of contamination Must rely on appropriate food safety practices being implemented to reduce risk of contamination All the food safety practices in place in the cafeteria/central kitchen are negated when contaminated fresh produce enters the supply chain All the food safety practices in place in the cafeteria/central kitchen are negated when contaminated fresh produce enters the supply chain

Resources Faith Critzer- Food Safety Extension Specalist, UT Department of Food Science, or (865) Faith Critzer- Food Safety Extension Specalist, UT Department of Food Science, or (865) Annette Wszelaki- Extension Vegetable Specialist, UT Department of Plant Sciences, or (865) Annette Wszelaki- Extension Vegetable Specialist, UT Department of Plant Sciences, or (865) Matthew Young- Chief Field Inspector, Tennessee Crop Improvement Association, or (615) Matthew Young- Chief Field Inspector, Tennessee Crop Improvement Association, or (615) Produce Safety Alliance- Produce Safety Alliance- On Farm Food Safety Project- On Farm Food Safety Project-

References Lin, B Fruit and Vegetable Consumption-Looking Ahead to In United_States_Department_of_Agriculture-ERS (ed.). Scallan, E., P. M. Griffin, F. J. Angulo, R. V. Tauxe, and R. M. Hoekstra Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United States- Unspecified Agents. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 17: Scallan, E., R. M. Hoekstra, F. J. Angulo, R. V. Tauxe, M. A. Widdowson, S. L. Roy, J. L. Jones, and P. M. Griffin Foodborne Illness Acquired in the United Sivapalasingam, S., C. R. Friedman, L. Cohen, and R. V. Tauxe Fresh produce: A growing cause of outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States, 1973 through Journal of Food Protection. 67:

References Batz, M., S. Hoffmann, J.Glenn Morris Ranking the risks the 10 pathogen-food combinations with the greatest burden on public health. In University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute Harrison, J. A., J. Gaskin, M.A. Harrison, R.R. Boyer, G. Zehnder, and J.L. Cannon Survey of food safety practices on small to medium-sized farms and in small farmers' markets. In, International Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, WI Terry, L Tests reveal E. coli in deer droppings found in Oregon strawberry field. In, The Oregonian. LaCorte, L., C. Parrott, M. Russell, J. Kupcha, K. Horton, K. Quanbeck, J. Kwit, C. Conell, S. Barnes USDA Farm to School Team 2010 Summary Report. In United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Agriculture Marketing Service,