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The overall goal of the S1033 multi-state project is to enhance the safety of the food supply in the US. The specific goal of our research is to develop intervention and prevention methods for produce, specifically leafy greens, that result in improved safety for consumers. The objectives of the proposed research are: <OL> <LI>Evaluation and communication of effective intervention methods for reducing mycotoxins (patulin) in fruit juices. <LI>Identification of intervention and decontamination methods for reducing foodborne pathogens on leafy greens and produce. </OL>Based on the findings of the research, we hope to provide intervention methods for juice manufacturers to reduce the levels of finished mycotoxins in juice as well as potential ways to reduce mycotoxins in juice. For the produce focused research, we hope identify production or handling practices that would reduce pathogen entry or an effective post harvest treatment that is more effective than existing decontamination methods currently in use. <P>The findings will be disseminated to target audiences through in-person communications at conferences, updated training materials and extension publications.
Non-Technical Summary: Foodborne illness outbreaks due to leafy greens and vegetables continues to occur in the United States. In an attempt to enhance the safety of fruits and vegetables, identification of key pathogen entry points into the produce chain is needed. In addition, current decontamination methods used on post harvest fruits and vegetables are ineffective. The identification of production practices that are most at risk for pathogen introduction as well as investigating alternative decontamination methods are needed to enhance produce safety, and these are the objectives of this proposed research. The proposed activities will complement and extend current USDA/FDA guidelines presented in "Guide to minimize microbial food safety hazards for fresh fruits and vegetables". In addition to research, there is an extension component that will be directed towards grower, packer, handler, and consumers. The education materials developed will be based on the research findings of this project and developed for the different audiences and updated and new recommendations. <P> Approach: The patulin related research will be focused on the decontamination of Penicillium expansum, the causative agent for mycotoxin production. Storage conditions such as temperature and holding times as well as fruit variety and maturity will be evaluated to determine the onset of patulin production with the different variables. Pre-storage treatments such as sanitizer dips (chlorine, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide) will be evaluated for their decontamination potential and the subsequent reduction of patulin production during storage. Patulin decontamination methods in fruit juice will be investigated using ultraviolet light and yeast cells as a means to degrade and bind patulin, respectively, in juice. Currently, no decontamination methods exist and dilution is not permitted once it is present above 50 ppb in the finished juice. The leafy greens and produce research will focus on evaluation of environmental factors such as irrigation water quality, wildlife, compost, worker hygiene as vectors for pathogen entry. The persistence of the pathogens in the environment will also be determined. Decontamination methods using a hurdle concept of multiple treatments will be investigated for leafy greens and produce products. Chlorine will be used as a control to evaluate the effectiveness of the novel intervention methods that include biocontrol cultures, chemical sanitizers, and gaseous sanitizers. For the extension portion of the project, in order to reach targeted groups, the educational and outreach activities will focus on produce processors, regulators, and extension personnel. Several communication strategies will be used to cover the diverse nature of the targeted audiences, including printed materials, websites and other electronic media, videos, workshops, demonstrations, presentations, consumer and trade articles in periodicals, and press releases. All educational materials developed will be evaluated by experts in the area of produce safety education. After one year of use, the materials will be re-evaluated by intended users to determine their relevance. Attendees of formal training programs will also have the opportunity to identify practices that they have changed as a result of the training and materials provided. The feedback will be used to improve the programs and to determine additional training needs. The research findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. Number of publications and presentations will be used to evaluate the research activities.