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Many foodborne pathogens are spread through animal or human fecal contamination. Prompt detection of fecal contamination on or near fields growing ready-to-eat product might indicate that product was contaminated with pathogens, allowing intervention before distribution to consumers. The need for new approaches in food safety and outbreak investigations is evident given the recent salmonella outbreak sickening over 1,300 individuals in 43 states and Canada. Investigators are still not sure which products were responsible and how the pathogens contacted the food items.
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> In the last 12 years, approximately 24 leafy green associated outbreaks have been reported in the US resulting in thousands of illnesses and several deaths. Of those outbreaks in which tracebacks were conducted, almost all identified a CA grower as the likely source of contamination. CA produces over 80% of the leafy greens in the US. Additionally, international outbreaks involving other significant CA commodities (i.e., raw almonds) have resulted in hundereds of additional illnesses. If successful, a fecal detection dog would provide allowed regulators and industry members with another improtant food safety tool. Conducting this project might lead to an effective tool for identifying contaminated foods prior to distribution for human consumption and assist outbreak investigations to more quickly identify the adulterated food item and cause of
the contamination.<p>
APPROACH: <br/>A program to train scent detection dogs and handlers to detect animal and human fecal contamination in ready-to-eat foods such as leafy greens. This project will not be the ultimate solution to food safety, but if successful, a fecal detection dog would provide allow regulators and industry members with another important food safety tool. Regulators could utilize this tool in farm investigations to focus sample collection and identify sources of contamination; in prioritizing lab samples from foodborne outbreaks and routine surveillance which would decrease the time from implication of food vehicle to recall; in focusing sampling of imported foods at border crossings and ports of entry.</p><p>
PROGRESS: <br/>2008/10 TO 2013/09 <br/>OUTPUTS: No report available at this time. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.</p>