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NewsApril 1, 2013
Meetings and Conference
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Oregon Dairy Industries 102nd Annual Conference
April 9, 2013
Salem, OR
Michele Jay-Russell gave an invited presentation entitled “Raw Milk: Are Health-Conscious Consumers Making an Unhealthy Choice?” to an audience of dairy producers and processors. Her talk was preceded by a panel of parents of three children who developed HUS following E. coli O157:H7 infection associated with drinking raw milk.
The panel was led by their nephrologist, David Rozansky, MD. The day also included talks on FSMA—Preparation and Survival; Getting Ahead with an Effective Environmental Monitoring Program; A Scientific Study of Animal Welfare and Milk Quality on Oregon’s Organic and Traditional Dairy Farms; and Marketing with Social Media. Jay-Russell’s talk may be found here.
More information about the ODI Annual Conference.
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Lisbeth Goddik, Ph.D.
OSU Dairy Processing Extension Specialist
ODI Conference organizer
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Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) Advisory Council Spring Symposium
April 18-19, 2013
Greenbelt, MD
Linda Harris attended the JIFSAN 2013 Advisory Council Annual Spring Symposium. The program entitled "Conundrum of Defining Food Safety – the Case of the Moving Zero” included industry, government and academic speakers covering the issue of chemical and microbial food safety in a world of advanced detection capabilities. The second day was devoted to a discussion of consumer perception of risk, how this perception has changed with time and the influence of social media on these perceptions. Strategies for effectively communicating risk to consumers were also discussed.
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Texas A & M University One Health Program
April 24-26, 2013
College Station, TX
Bennie I. Osburn, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Dean Emeritus, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, was a guest of the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences One Health Program. Osburn conducted transdisciplinary One Health seminars for students and faculty during his visit, and also met with selected faculty to explore possible collaborations about a very important One Health topic, “Training Future Investigators for Outbreaks of Zoonotic Pathogens in Leafy Green Fields.”
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Citrus Postharvest Pest Control Conference
April 24, 2013
Santa Barbara, CA (via Adobe Connect)
California Citrus Packers Postharvest Research Seminar
April 25, 2013
Exeter, CA (via ReadyTalk)
Linda Harris gave a presentation entitled “Food Safety: Risks in the Packing House” in a program sponsored by UC Riverside Extension, held in Santa Barbara. The food safety segment of the program also included talks by David Gombas, United Fresh, on the new federal food safety regulations and what they mean to the fresh produce industry, and Trevor Suslow, UC Davis, who provided an update on Preharvest Microbial Food Safety Risk Assessment in the Field. The following day Harris, Gombas, and Suslow spoke to the California Citrus Packers Postharvest Research Seminar, which was presented by the Citrus Research Board and UC Cooperative Extension in Exeter.
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Harris elected to International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Executive Board
Members of the International Association for Food Protection recently elected Linda Harris to the Executive Board as Secretary. Dr. Harris will take office at the conclusion of IAFP 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will fulfill a five-year commitment to the Association, serving as President beginning in August 2016. The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) represents more than 3,600 food safety professionals committed to Advancing Food Safety Worldwide®. The association includes educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives and quality control professionals who are involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing and preparing all types of foods. More information is available here.
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Linda Harris
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Sabbatical Leave
Linda Harris has headed to College Park, Maryland to begin her sabbatical leave at FDA CFSAN from April through January 2014. While at FDA she will be assisting with several FSMA-related activities in particular assisting in writing several documents including separate guidance for low moisture foods, tree nuts, spices and herbs and the criteria for validation of control measures for hazards. Her research program at UC Davis will continue while she is away thanks to her experienced staff and the ability to stay connected electronically.
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Publications
Gorski, L., M.T. Jay-Russell, A.S. Liang, S. Walker, Y. Bengson, J. Govoni, and R.E. Mandrell. 2013. Diversity of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulsotypes, serovars, and antibiotic resistance among Salmonella isolates from wild amphibians and reptiles in the California Central Coast. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease ahead of print. doi:10.1089/fpd.2012.1372.
This paper reports subtyping results from a survey of cold-blooded vertebrates and associated surface waters in a produce-growing region on the Central California Coast.
Hoar, B., E.R. Atwill, L. Carlton, J.L. Celis, J. Carabez, and T. Nguyen. 2013. Buffers between grazing sheep and leafy crops augment food safety. California Agriculture 67(2):104-109. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v067n02p104. April-June 2013.
Researchers evaluated the existing safety guideline of 30 feet between sheep grazing on alfalfa in Imperial Valley and crops of leafy greens and found it adequate to minimize potential contamination of nearby crops.
Langholz, J.A., and M.T. Jay-Russell. 2013. Potential role of wildlife in pathogenic contamination of fresh produce. Human–Wildlife Interactions 7(1):140–157.
The authors review the literature related to E. coli O157 occurrence in wildlife and produce-related outbreaks involving investigation into potential wildlife sources.
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FSMA Updates & Comment Period Extensions
April 24, 2013
The FDA today issued Federal Register notices to extend the comment periods on the proposed rules for Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food (the Preventive Controls proposed rule) and Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (the Produce Safety proposed rule) until September 16, 2013.
The comment period for the Draft Qualitative Risk Assessment of Risk of Activity/Food Combinations for Activities (Outside the Farm Definition) Conducted in a Facility Co-Located on a Farm is also extended.
To view these notices, please visit the links below:
Federal Register Notice: Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food: Extension of Comment Period
As a reminder, there are two ways to comment:
1. Comment electronically
2. Written comments may be faxed to the FDA at 301-827-6870 or you may mail them to:
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
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March 1, 2013
Meetings and Conference
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Leafy Greens and Tomatoes Food Safety Metrics Research Meeting
March 13-15, 2013
Tampa, FL
The University of Florida hosted researchers and industry leaders from the USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)-funded project “Developing Scientifically-based Consensus Food Safety Metrics for Leafy Greens and Tomatoes.” The multi-state project led by Robert Buchanan, University of Maryland, aims to generate data that will ensure that metrics for leafy greens and tomatoes are scientifically valid so that they can be implemented on a national or regional basis for both domestic and imported produce. This goal will be achieved by combining sample data from growers, packers, and processors with data from designed research trials considering four sets of risk factors: water, environmental parameters, harvesting and processing, and temperature/food safety chain management controls.
Michele Jay-Russell and collaborators on the project convened on the first day to present results and refine protocols. The second day was spent with the Produce Industry Advisory Panel and Day 3 was devoted to farm and processing plant tours. More information about the project may be found here.
As part of the project, Professor Erik Lichtenberg at the University of Maryland, College Park is conducting a survey of small and medium size farms to determine the cost-effectiveness of different food safety risk-reduction strategies for leafy greens and tomatoes. If you are a leafy green or tomato grower, please take the survey online at www.foodumd.org. Responses are requested by June 30, 2013.
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Michelle Danyluk, University of Florida, leading the strawberry family farm tour.
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California Farm Bureau Federation Leaders Conference and Commodity Advisory Committee Meetings: Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Outreach to Industry
March 11-13, 2013
Sacramento, CA
Linda Harris, Trevor Suslow, and Michele Jay-Russell attended Day 1 (March 11) of the 2013 CFBF Leaders Conference. Barbara Cassens, District Director, FDA San Francisco District, gave an overview of the Food Safety Modernization Act in the morning. After lunch, Harris, Suslow, and Jay-Russell rotated through the Grape (mostly winegrape), Specialty Crop (fruits, vegetables & nuts), and Citrus & Avocado committee meetings to answer questions about the Produce Safety Rule.
Rob Atwill and Bruce Hoar gave a food safety update to the Sheep and Goat Advisory Committee meeting on Day 3 (March 13). It was a good chance for the sheep industry and individual ranchers to ask questions about the food safety risks incurred when sheep graze a produce field following harvest, and strategies to mitigate those risks in light of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
As a reminder, comments are due by May 16, 2013 on the proposed preventive controls and produce safety rules:
"Proposed Rule under FSMA for Preventive Controls for Human Food: Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food"
"Proposed Rule under FSMA for Produce: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption"
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Grand Opening of New Research Center
March 15, 2013
UC Davis
Members of the WIFSS/WCFS team joined in the “Celebration of Discovery” at the grand opening of Vet Med 3B, otherwise known as the Research Facility 3B where the WIFSS/WCFS laboratory in the School of Veterinary Medicine will soon be relocated. This new facility will improve the efficiency of our research programs by clustering all laboratory activities into a contiguous space. Rob Atwill, Ronny Bond and Missy Partyka were on hand for the media display showcasing the many food- and waterborne pathogen projects being conducted by the team.
Bennie Osburn, Xunde Li, Heather Johnson, Mandy Arens, and Chris Brunner were on hand for the display showcasing training programs in food safety. Visitors were able to view posters, and a video which highlighted the many facets of the WIFSS training programs on produce and dairy farm food safety inspection and investigations of foodborne outbreaks. Heather Johnson demonstrated the interactive Dairy 101 mobile website.
More information on VetMed 3B may be found here.
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Vet Med 3B
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Produce Farm Investigations Course
March 4-8, 2013
Balm, FL
This course aims to prepare regulatory officials who will be called out to investigate in the event of a produce-associated, foodborne illness outbreak. Rob Atwill, Xunde Li, David Goldenberg, Heather Johnson, Ronny Bond, Linda Harris and Bennie Osburn all attended the program. Rob Atwill and Xunde Li both delivered presentations during the training event. David Goldenberg coordinated and led the field exercises that the participants completed. The focus of the program included cabbage, strawberries, blueberries, and tomatoes—produce commodities implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks in the past. Participants learned how a foodborne outbreak occurs and gained the knowledge and skills needed to respond in the event of such an emergency. This course was presented in a blended-learning format in which participants completed a series of pre-requisite online modules aimed at preparing them for the face-to-face presentations and learning activities in Florida. Additionally, hands-on field experience activities were designed to develop the skills needed to successfully complete a farm investigation. Thirty-seven trainees from the FDA, state agencies and USDA attended. The next Produce Farm Investigations course will be held in Monterey, California June 10-14.
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Central Coastal California Rancher Meeting on Produce Safety
March 18, 2013
Templeton, CA
Rob Atwill and Michele Jay-Russell, along with Royce Larsen, UCCE advisor, San Luis Obispo County, conducted a morning workshop on E. coli O157:H7 research related to livestock, wildlife, water, and leafy green production on the central coast of California. Ranchers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and members of the local produce industry such as Bob Martin were present. A thoughtful exchange was stimulated on the potential role of livestock and wildlife in produce food safety.
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February 1, 2013Research
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WCFS partners with Center for Produce Safety in Their Annual Call for Research Proposals
February 1, 2013
Davis, CA
The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) has announced its 2013 request for food safety research proposals. The center and its public and industry research partners are making $3 million available to fund general and commodity-specific research aimed at addressing the fresh produce food safety research needs. For the first time, WCFS has partnered with CPS to fund fresh produce safety research. WCFS is requesting research proposals regarding pre-harvest microbial hazards and the risks posed by agricultural water use.
Of specific interest are proposals that will provide data regarding the following:
a) What factors most influence the persistence of human pathogens (foodborne pathogens) on fresh produce, when contaminated agricultural water contacts the edible portion of the crop during the growing cycle? Specifically, does an agro-ecological production region and specific crops grown within an agro-ecological production region influence the probability of microbial contamination of fresh produce with human pathogens (adulteration) at harvest, when produce contamination occurs via use of contaminated agricultural water during the growing cycle?
b) What preventative controls can be applied to agricultural water and how effective are these preventive controls at reducing, controlling or eliminating microbial hazards that may lead to adulteration of produce at the time of harvest?
The findings from these studies are expected to offer the farming community an opportunity to evaluate alternate approaches per the proposed produce safety rule agricultural water provision.
Proposals are due by March 28, 2013. To view the full RFP, visit the CPS website.
Specific instructions for the WCFS request for proposals can be found here.
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Meetings and Conferences
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UC Davis Center for Food Animal Health Stakeholders Meeting
January 31, 2013
Davis, CA
Michael Payne and Michele Jay-Russell attended the annual UC Davis Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH) Stakeholders Meeting where Jay-Russell gave an overview presentation of food safety activities at WIFSS/WCFS. The CFAH is an organized research program of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Its purpose is to organize resources for and conduct research on animal diseases important to livestock industries, important food borne and vector borne disease problems, zoonosis associated with diseases of livestock and environmental health important to the State of California.
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Better Process Control School
February 12-13, 2013
UC Davis
Linda Harris participated as an instructor in this UC Extension Course. The Better Process Control School is designed for operating supervisors of commercial food canning operations. UC Davis partners with Grocery Manufacturers Association and UC Laboratory for Research in Food Preservation to offer this course. An agenda and further description are available here.
An online course (with taped presentations of the in-person course) is also available.
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Texas A&M One Health Team
February 14-15, 2013
UC Davis
The directors and a team member from the WIFSS Outreach Program had the opportunity to meet with program directors from Texas A&M University’s One Health Plus program during their visit to Davis this month. Here from Texas, looking at future directions of One Health Plus, including expansion in the fields of food safety and comparative medicine, were Dr. Michael Chaddock, Assistant Dean for One Health Plus and Strategic Initiatives, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Merrideth Holub, Program Coordinator; and Dr. Suzanne Yandow, Professor and Orthopedic Surgeon, College of Medicine.
Bennie Osburn, Rob Atwill, and Heather Johnson from the WIFSS Outreach Program were involved in giving an overview of some of the innovative work being conducted in the arena of training and education of food safety and security. Also on board from UC Davis, participating in the meetings were Kent Lloyd, Jonna Mazet, Woutrina Miller, Christine Johnson, and Paulina Zielinska.
Chaddock, Holub and Yandow were impressed with the breadth and depth of Davis’s programs and departed the informative meeting sessions with much to think about asOne Health Plus works toward their mission of establishing collaboration among Texas A&M colleagues, faculty, staff, and students, in research, teaching, and outreach opportunities surrounding veterinary and medical professions for humans, animals, and the environment to improve public health.
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The Uncommon Veterinarian Podcast: Public Health and Food Safety
Veterinarian and Army officer Elliott Garber provides fellow animal lovers, students, and veterinarians with the tools they need to pursue their dreams in the wide world of veterinary medicine. He launched a new series of podcasts on the Uncommon Veterinarian website. Michele Jay-Russell discussed careers in veterinary public health and food safety in this month’s podcast, which can be found on the website and on iTunes.
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Dr. Michele Jay-Russell
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Publications
Vandamm, J. P., D. Li, L. J. Harris, D. W. Schaffner, and M.D. Danyluk. May 2013. Fate ofEscherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella on fresh-cut celery. Food Microbiol. 34(1):151-157.
Schaffner, D.W., R. L. Buchanan, S. Calhoun, M.D. Danyluk, L.J. Harris, D. Djordjevic, R. C. Whiting, B. Kottapalli, and M. Wiedmann. 2013. Issues to consider when setting intervention targets with limited data for low-moisture food commodities: A peanut case study. J. Food Prot. 76(2):360-369.
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Production, Harvest, Post-Harvest, and Processing Unit Operations of Fresh Culinary Herbs published by Western Growers and posted on the FDA website.
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January 1, 2013
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Produce Farm Investigations Course
January 14-18, 2013
Homestead, FL
WIFSS, in conjunction with the FDA, held the first 2013 ER 321 “Produce Farm Investigations” course in Homestead, Florida, in January. The course focused on outbreak investigations in tropical fruits, tomatoes, herbs and spices. The methods taught in ER 321 are the principal means by which investigators conduct traceback investigations. There were 31 future investigators attending the course from states across the U.S., of which about half were FDA employees. Rob Atwill gave a presentation on the role water plays in contamination. Xunde Li discussed the role of microbial agents, such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 that may come in contact with produce. David Goldenberg facilitated a two-day farm visit in which students toured working farms and conducted mock investigations. Ronny Bond was responsible for videotaping the crops that were being investigated. It was considered by all a highly successful course. ER 321 is scheduled to be taught again in 2013 in Florida, Michigan and California to highlight different commodities in other regions of the country. The next course is offered March 4-8 in Balm, FL.
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Instructor Development Workshop:
International Food Protection Training Institute
January 8-11, 2013
Battle Creek, MI
The WIFSS Education and eLearning Specialist, Heather Johnson, recently participated in the Instructor Development Workshop (IDW), a course developed by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education (NCBTR/ACE). The course was presented by the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Instructor Development Workshop is designed to give insight into adult education and improve the instructional skills of experienced training facilitators and teachers. Fellow participants included state and federal health department investigators from across the country. The course was taught by three expert-level instructors from Louisiana State University, the Baton Rouge Police Department and the New York Fire Department. The methods and best-practices that were learned will continue to be incorporated into future training events that are currently being designed and presented by the WIFSS Outreach Training team.
In addition to participating in the IDW course, Ms. Johnson had the opportunity to network with IFPTI’s Executive Director, Mr. Jerry Wojtala. IFPTI is an ANSI certified training institution, and the WIFSS Outreach Program plans to begin the same certification process soon. Mr. Wojtala was able to explain the certification process, offer valuable insights and invited the WIFSS Outreach Team to return to Battle Creek later this year to consult with him after the certification process is underway at WIFSS.
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Keeping Produce Safe on the Farm
January 28-29, 2013
Sparks, NV
Michele Jay-Russell participated in a professional development course organized by Trevor Suslow and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and Nevada Department of Agriculture. The focus was on small and medium-size operations, including direct sales, community sponsored agriculture (CSAs), and farmers’ markets. The audience included staff from the sponsoring organizations, together with some small growers. In addition to Jay-Russell and Suslow, speakers included Laura Mills (LGM Consulting), Greg McNair (USDA-AMS) and Adrian Sbodio (Suslow lab). The agenda for the course may be found here. An additional online resource to build a food safety plan was shared with the group.
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(L to R) Laura Giudici Mills, Michele Jay-Russell, Greg McNair, Trevor Suslow, Adrian Sbodio
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Research
December 1, 2012
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Produce Safety Framework Document is Published
The Western Center for Food Safety (WCFS) was asked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to facilitate the development of framework documents that would assist researchers in developing protocols for scientific studies that evaluate the persistence of foodborne pathogens in the environment and on the edible portions of fresh produce following: 1) application of potentially contaminated agricultural water to the edible portion of the crop; or 2) application of potentially contaminated untreated soil amendments of animal origin to land used to grow fresh produce. The Agricultural Water and Soil Amendment framework documents were developed by two committees through a series of webinars, e-mail communication and a workshop that was held in Davis, CA in October 2011.
Additional academic, government and industry food safety experts reviewed the draft documents prior to submission to the Journal of Food Protection (JFP). The Agricultural Water document is in the December 2012 issue of JFP and is available Open Access. The soil amendment document is under final review.
Harris, L.J., J. Bender, E. A. Bihn, T. Blessington, M.D. Danyluk, P. Delaquis, L. Goodridge, A. M. Ibekwe, S. Ilic, K. Kniel, J.T. LeJeune, D.W. Schaffner, D. Stoeckel, and T.V. Suslow. 2012. A framework for developing research protocols for evaluation of microbial hazards and controls during production that pertain to the quality of agricultural water contacting fresh produce that may be consumed raw. J. Food Prot. 75:2251-2273.
Resources to Support the Research Framework Documents at WCFS Website
Links to state and national information on application of agricultural water and animal-based soil amendments that may be useful to researchers using the framework documents can be found at the WCFS website. These include comprehensive bibliographies for agricultural water and soil amendments as well as resources on test methods and information on access to climate data.
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6th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety
November 28, 2012
Singapore
Linda Harris presented a talk entitled Interventions for elimination of pathogens in low-moisture foods at the 6th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety, sponsored by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), Southeast Asia Region. About 350 people representing industry, government and academic researchers attended the conference. More information is available here.
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Interrelatedness of Diseases of Animal Origin, the Environment and Human Health
One Health: Veterinarians Role in Emerging and Foodborne Diseases
University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI
September 28th, 2012
Ruminant Teaching Workshop
University of Melbourne
Australia
December 11-13, 2012
There is increasing international interest in the interrelatedness of diseases of animal origin, with the environment and human health. Bennie Osburn made a presentation on “One Health: Veterinarians Role in Emerging and Foodborne Diseases” at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI on September 28th, 2012. Osburn was the invited speaker at the DC Blood Oration at the University of Melbourne, hosted by the Faculty of Veterinary Science, where his presentation was entitled "The Role of Ruminants in the Ecology of Human Disease Pathogens". He later addressed 70 faculty from the seven veterinary schools in Australia and New Zealand at the Ruminant Teaching Workshop with a presentation on “Academic Medicines Role in the Changing Landscape of Ruminant Veterinary Practice” at the University of Melbourne. More information is available here.
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A Holiday Message from WIFSS and WCFS
We at WIFSS and WCFS wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season and prosperity for the new year.
The message below is brought to you by Salmonella (Happy) and E. coli O157:H7 (Holidays).
May your holiday season be foodborne pathogen free!
To assist you, please check out the partnership for food safety education Holiday Food Safety website.
Best wishes,
From all of us at WIFSS and WCFS
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November 1, 2012
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University of Hawaii at Manoa
Since 2008, WCFS scientists have been leading field-based trials in experimental Romaine and cilantro plots in Salinas. These research studies aim to better understand the survival of field-borne microbial contaminants and leafy greens and herbs to inform the development and implementation of standardized, science- and risk-based approaches to good agricultural practices and outbreak investigations.
Based on the success of these field trials, WCFS and the FDA Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN) are engaging in a new collaboration with University of Hawaii at Manoa. The project aims to understand the survival of foodborne pathogens in tropical produce production environments. Linda Harris, Anne-Laure Moyne and Michele Jay-Russell visited Michael Melzer from the Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences in November to discuss project design and identify potential experimental crops and locations for the early 2013 field trial. They visited several UH Cooperative Extension Research Stations on Oahu and Hawai’i. They also joined researchers at the United States Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo for a tour of commercial macademia nut orchards and a processing plant.
Additionally, Jim Hollyer and his team at Agricultural Development in the American Pacific (ADAP), UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources provided a tour of a commercial aquaponics operation in Mililani. Jay-Russell was co-author with Hollyer and colleagues on a paper, “A preliminary study of microbial water quality related to food safety in recirculating aquaponic fish and vegetable production systems” published last month.
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Basil experimental field
Aquaponics farm
(L to R) A. Moyne, M. Jay-Russell, L. Harris, and M. Melzer
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North Coast Small Business Development Center
November 8, 2012
Arcata, CA
Linda Harris gave a presentation entitled “Regulatory Considerations” to a small group of value-added food producers. Most, but not all, of the 13 participants are fairly new businesses. Since May, the group has had monthly meetings on a range of topics such as money management, marketing, pricing, distribution and sourcing, and fair packaging laws.
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Lab Aspire
October 25, 2012
Richmond, CA
Michele Jay-Russell recently gave a presentation at the Food and Drug Laboratory Branch (FDLB), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), to the current post-doc in the LabAspire program and staff at FDLB. LabAspire was designed to provide information about the exciting career opportunities in California’s public health laboratories. These labs serve the general public by screening newborns for various genetic and congenital disorders, watching for disease-producing agents in food, humans, and animals, and testing for new threats like West Nile virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, and bioterrorism.
Since 2007, Linda Guthertz has been the trainer for the post-doctoral fellowship program in the Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL). Guthertz is retiring after a long career that has included 25 years as a public health microbiologist in MDL and 2 years with FDLB (2005-2007). Her publication list includes a report of the work done by FDLB during the spinach outbreak to improve detection of low levels of E. coli O157:H7 in leafy greens. She and Jay-Russell worked together at FDLB prior to Jay-Russell joining WIFSS, and Mary Palumbo worked with Guthertz while with the Emergency Response Unit and CalFERT at FDB.
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(L to R) Linda Guthertz, Shantelle Lucas, Jay-Russell, Peng Zheng and Stephanie Abromaitis
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The Petting Zoo Problem
Michele Jay-Russell is quoted in an article in Food Safety News (November 16, 2012) about the repeated outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium attributed to petting zoos. Jay-Russell, Jeff Bender (University of Minnesota), and Mansour Samadpour (IEH Laboratories) agreed that they preferred procedures to improve the safety of petting zoos rather than eliminating them altogether. Hand-washing is a critical but often overlooked step to prevent disease transmitted by contact with animals. Other possible steps are testing the animals for pathogens before allowing them to meet the public, or vaccinating them against pathogenic E. coli.
The complete article may be found here.
Jeff Bender and Michele Jay-Russell are founding members of the Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV). The Compendium is updated and published in the CDC MMWR annually.
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Publications
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Online Technical Note
Rob Atwill and Xunde Li, along with Melissa Partyka, Ronny Bond, and Chengling Xiao at WIFSS, and Betsy Karle, UC Cooperative Extension, just published a technical note in close collaboration with Luana Kiger, Glenn Carpenter and other scientists at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. This lay publication reviews the biology and medical ecology of waterborne pathogens in agricultural watersheds and discusses the many management practices that landowners, regulators, and agencies can use to mitigate these risks. This web book is entitled, "Introduction to Waterborne Pathogens in Agricultural Watersheds, Technical Note No. 9, September 2012."
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Abstract
Lambertini, E., H. Wang, H. Fushing, M.L. Partyka, E.R. Atwill. Microbial contamination patterns in irrigation waters: towards optimized monitoring and risk predictions. EcoHealth 2012: Sustaining Ecosytems, Supporting Health. Kunming City, China. October 15-18, 2012.
October 1, 2012
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Leafy Greens & Tomatoes Food Safety Metrics Research Meeting
October 1-2, 2012
College Park, MD
Michele Jay-Russell attended the Specialty Crops Research Initiative meeting on Leafy Greens and Tomatoes Food Safety Metrics to discuss year 1 progress and plans for years 2 and 3. Day 2 of the meeting was a workshop on the multiyear development of the metrics. A complete outline of the project, “Developing Scientifically-based Consensus Food Safety Metrics for Leafy Greens and Tomatoes,” is available online. The goal is to generate data to ensure that developing methods for leafy greens and tomatoes are scientifically valid so that they can be implemented on a national or regional basis for both domestic and imported produce. “Tomato and leafy greens metrics are based on expert opinion, but no one has sat down in a scientific manner to make sure those really work,” said Dave Gombas, senior vice president for food safety for the Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association. For more information, see "The Packer" here.
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Conference on Pre-harvest Control of STECs in Cattle
October 4, 2012
Greenbelt, MD
Lisa Benjamin attended Washington State University’s (WSU) conference on Pre-harvest Control of STECs (shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) in Cattle. This United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sponsored conference was hosted by Dale Moore (WSU), Bill Sischo (WSU) and David Smith (University of Nebraska-Lincoln). The speaker panel included researchers from North American universities and individuals with regulatory experience. Here at the WIFSS/WCFS, researchers are collaborating with the Produce and Microbiology Research Unit (USDA/ARS) led by Robert Mandrell in work on E coli O157 on Central Coast California cow calf farms based on an E coli ecology database. Benjamin’s travel to this conference was supported by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agenda may be found here.
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California State Board of Food and Agriculture
October 2, 2012
Sacramento, CA
During a panel discussion on Specialty Crop Block Grants and Food Safety, Steve Patricio, Linda Harris, Trevor Suslow and Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli presented the CPS model, current research priorities and projects, and need for future funding. The agenda may be found here.
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Visiting Chinese Delegation
October 29, 2012
Davis, CA
A Chinese delegation is visiting WIFSS this week to receive training on food safety. The delegation is composed of faculty, local governmental food safety officials, and food retailers from Jilin province, China. The delegation is organized by Jilin University, Heping Campus, which established the China-US Center for Food Safety Research and Training with Rob Atwill and Xunde Li last year. The objective of the training is to expose the delegation to general food safety trends, and go into depth on topics such as dairy and beef food safety, foodborne pathogen and residue detection, epidemiological surveillance and other related topics. This training event marks the first activity of the new China-US Center. Through this training program, we will clarify how to help our Chinese partners upgrade their knowledge and skills in microbial and residue food safety. Our long term goal is to work with our partners to improve food safety in China and thus improve the safety of imported foods in the US market given that China is the third largest food supplier of US imported foods.
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Chinese Delegation at WIFSS
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Welcome New WIFSS Employees
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Two new employees have been added on Bennie Osburn’s FDA Model Training Programs for Specialty Produce Crops, Dairy and Lab Procedures cooperative agreement.
Heather Johnson, MS
Heather Johnson earned her BS degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Education. She recently completed her MS degree here at UC Davis in Microbiology. She has taught middle school and undergraduate students and has experience in curriculum development and lesson planning, student assessment and online learning. Most recently, she was the Northern California Sales Representative for VWR Education--a major supplier of science educational materials in North America. She will be serving as the Education and eLearning Specialist on the grant. She is currently located in Surge III Room 1361, and if you would like to contact her, her office number is (530) 752-1751 and her email is heajohnson@ucdavis.edu.
Amanda Arens, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Amanda Arens earned her DVM, MPVM, and PhD degrees from UC Davis and has additional experience with curriculum development, adult learning, and meeting management. Most recently, she was a Science and Technology Fellow in the California Legislature in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee working with state agencies and advocacy groups on issues related to the Committee. She will be serving as the Outreach Program Specialist on the grant. She is currently located in Surge III Room 1363, and if you would like to contact her, her office number is (530) 752-3375 and her email is alarens@ucdavis.edu.
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Publications
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Rob Atwill and Xunde Li, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and numerous international scientists, recently published a book entitled, "Animal waste, water quality and human health." This book is a detailed compilation of scientific information regarding leading waterborne zoonoses from livestock populations, practical intervention strategies to mitigate these risks, human exposure and microbial risk assessment, along with information on regulating water quality using bacterial indicators. The book can be downloaded free from WHO at the following site.
Fox, B.K., C.S. Tamaru, J. Hollyer, L.R. Castro, J.M. Fonseca, M. Jay-Russell, and T. Low. 2012. A preliminary study of microbial water quality related to food safety in recirculating aquaponic fish and vegetable production systems. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, FST-51.
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Congratulations
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In partial fulfillment of the requirements for her MPVM degree, Alexis Fisher gave a brief presentation on her project “Occurrence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in domestic and wild canid populations in a U.S – Mexico desert southwest produce production region” on September 28. Lexi has been working with Michele Jay-Russell on this CPS project.
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Alexis Fisher
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September 1, 2012
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Edible Landscaping
September 14-15, 2012
Davis, CA
Edible Landscaping was a 2-day program of the California Center for Urban Horticulture, designed for Master Gardeners and industry professionals who educate the public. Master Gardeners is a program of UC Cooperative Extension whose purpose is to extend research-based knowledge and information on home gardening issues to county residents. Linda Harris gave a food safety presentation on Day 2 in the program, to about 100 people. Agenda attached.
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Fresh-Cut Products: Maintaining Quality and Safety
September 18-20, 2012
Davis, CA
The 17th Annual Fresh-Cut Products workshop was held this month at the Alumni and Visitors’ Center on campus. Among the speakers was WIFSS’ Linda Harris who gave a presentation entitled "Important Concepts in Microbial Food Safety". This workshop, presented by the UC Davis Postharvest Technology Center, provided an overview of the fresh-cut produce industry covering production, processing, packaging, distribution and quality assurance of fresh-cut products. The workshop also featured discussions on microbial food safety and the effects of temperature and modified atmospheres on fresh-cut fruit and vegetable quality. The 2013 workshop is planned for September 24-26 in the same location.
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August 1, 2012
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American Veterinary Medical Association
August 3-7, 2012
San Diego, CA
Michele Jay-Russell presented a talk at the recent AVMA convention entitled “Food Safety at the State Level: Stories from the Front Line.” She discussed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and gave an overview of state responsibilities in foodborne disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and training programs with emphasis on collaborations between state and federal food safety professionals. Examples of recent foodborne disease outbreaks were used to illustrate the state level activities.
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California Woolgrowers Association Annual Meeting and Convention
August 3-4, 2012
Davis, CA
Rob Atwill and Bruce Hoar received the California Woolgrowers Association (CWGA) Golden Fleece award August 4th from SVM emeritus professor and outgoing CWGA President, Dr. Nancy East, at the 152nd Annual Meeting of CWGA. This award is in recognition for their work on E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella shedding in commercial sheep and the possible role of airborne dust transmission as a mechanism for produce contamination from nearby grazing flocks. These risks appear to be overstated based on the field data from this work. This award is presented each year to a living and active member of the California Wool Growers Association or a public official who through his or her position has made a lasting contribution to the California sheep industry.
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FDA Produce Farm Investigation Course (Update)
WIFSS hosted two FDA training courses in June and July in Salinas, California. Produce Farm Investigations (ER321) is primarily aimed to train investigators and inspectors on how to conduct investigations at farms and packing facilities that have been implicated in fresh produce related outbreaks and positive pathogen samples.
The investigators are taught how to identify and document how fresh produce can become contaminated by identifying potential sources and routes of contamination. The weeklong course includes two days of site visits to packing facilities, commercial produce, and research farms. A high percentage of investigators who attended are from non-farm backgrounds. The site visits provide hands on experience regarding industry practices and conditions and helps reinforce the lecture material that describes the causes of microbiological contamination. The course concludes with a class exercise.
Approximately 40 investigators, analysts and state inspectors attended each course. These individuals may be called upon to conduct farm investigations as a result of complaints, positive laboratory findings, foodborne illness and/or tracebacks of implicated product back to the farm. In addition, FDA investigators and analysts may also use the skills learned in this course as a prerequisite to assist with foreign/overseas farm inspections and investigations.
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Upcoming Courses
July 1, 2012
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National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
June 28-30, 2012
San Diego, CA
In a session on Emerging Environmental Health Issues, Michele Jay-Russell presented a talk on “What Is the Matter with Raw Milk”, an overview of the history of the raw milk debate, current and newly introduced legislation. She was followed by Pat Kennelly, Chief of the Food Safety Section, Food and Drug Branch, California Department of Public Health, discussing recent raw milk outbreak investigations, and Mary McGonigle-Martin, mother and food safety activist who spoke about her son’s near death illness from E. coli O157:H7 following consumption of contaminated raw milk. The session was presented to a standing room only audience. The agenda may be found here.
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International Association for Food Protection (IAFP)
July 22-25, 2012
Providence, RI
This year’s IAFP annual meeting drew a record attendance of over 2500 food safety professionals. Linda Harris' Western Center for Food Safety ORISE fellow Tyann Blessington and students Irene Zhao and John Frelka presented the following research posters:
P2-31 Evaluation of Factors that Influence the Cross-contamination of Escherichia coli between Gloves and Lettuce during Harvesting Irene Zhao, University of California-Davis; Linda Harris, University of California-Davis
P2-51 The Impact of Shell Damage and Paracetic Acid on Microbial Loads of Harvested and Hulled Walnuts John Frelka, Tyann Blessington, Linda Harris, University of California-Davis [link to session P2 here]
P3-37 Survival of Foodborne Pathogens on Cilantro Plants after Transfer via Wet- and Dry-Inoculation Methods Tyann Blessington, Anne-laure Moyne, Linda Harris, University of California-Davis
P3-47 Impact of Inoculation Time (Evening or Morning) on Escherichia coli O157:H7 Survival on Pre-harvest Cilantro Tyann Blessington, Anne-laure Moyne, Linda Harris, University of California-Davis [link to session P3 here]
Harris also moderated a round-table session entitled Where Do We Go from Here: Discussion of Evidence-based Approaches to Education around Fresh Produce Safety. Panelists included Diane Ducharme, Elizabeth Bihn, Keith Schneider, James Gorny, Michael Villaneva and David Gombas. Link to session abstract here.
WIFSS’ visiting scholar Dr. Shouyi Chen presented a poster on rapid detection of Brucella spp. Dr. Chen is from Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention of China and is working with Rob Atwill and Xunde Li on international collaborative programs to identify routes of foodborne pathogens infection in children in Guangzhou.
P3-157 Rapid Detection of Brucella by Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification. Shouyi Chen, Liuyan Song, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Xunde Li, University of California-Davis; Shuiping Hou, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and Edward Atwill, University of California-Davis. [Link to P3 session here]
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The WCFS research studies associated with protecting leafy greens and other produce from microbial contamination promote development and implementation of standardized, science- and risk-based approaches to good agricultural practices and outbreak investigations. Researchers have been in Salinas this month collecting samples/data for these ongoing projects.
Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in field-inoculated lettuce and cilantro (Western Center for Food Safety, PI Linda Harris) One of these leveraged research projects focused on understanding factors that impact the fate of E. coli O157:H7 in field-inoculated leafy greens and herbs. Using an environmentally-controlled growth chamber we evaluated the influence of inoculation method (wet and dry, influence of carrier) and humidity levels on the post-inoculation survival of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on lettuce and cilantro plants. Survival in wet or dry inoculum carriers on inoculated cilantro was similar under both laboratory and field conditions; survival of Salmonella was significantly better than for E. coli O157:H7. Increasing the interval from the time of contamination to the point of harvest of both lettuce and cilantro significantly decreases the likelihood that the E. coli O157:H7 would be in the harvested product.
Enhancing QPRAM for improved produce food safety (Western Center for Food Safety, PI Rob Atwill) In another field trial-based project, WCFS researchers utilized the quantitative predictive risk assessment model (QPRAM) designed by the CFSAN Risk Assessment Team and their collaborators at RTI International to predict and characterize exposure and corresponding risks from consumption of fresh produce. A field trial was conducted in 2011 in California's Salinas Valley produce growing region in order to generate real-world field-based data regarding E. coli O157:H7 contamination of Romaine lettuce prior to harvest due to fecal pathogen transfer during foliar irrigation. The findings suggest that a 5-day interval between final irrigation and harvest would generate an average 3 to 4-log 10 reduction per head of lettuce, which if combined with removal of the outer lower leaves from the head during harvest and reasonable due diligence to remove scat prior to final irrigation, would substantially reduce the risk of microbial contamination for Romaine lettuce. Additional QPRAM field trials are planned in 2012.
Effectiveness of Food Safety Metrics to Protect Leafy Greens from Zoonotic Enteric Pathogens (USDA NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative, PI Jay-Russell) The Western Center for Food Safety is collaborating with the University of Maryland’s Center for Food Safety and Security Systems (CFS3) and five other universities in a three-year study aimed to develop scientifically-based food safety metrics for leafy greens and tomatoes. The overall goal of the research is to provide scientific knowledge/data and analysis that will allow for the development of “good agricultural/horticultural” metrics that can be used by the produce industry on a national basis for both domestic and imported produce. Experimental field trials are being used to quantitatively link root causes with the likelihood and extent of contamination. No-harvest buffer zones as described in the LGMA are being evaluated this summer using inoculated animal fecal material to track the survival and spread of indicator E. coli in a Romaine lettuce field in Salinas.
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Cilantro
Ronny and Missy Flagging
Melinda, Jennifer and Fhon
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US FDA Produce Farm Investigation Course
July 16-20, 2012
Monterey, CA
Bennie Osburn, Rob Atwill, David Goldenberg, Xunde Li, Missy Partyka, Elisabetta Lambertini, Ronny Bond, and Nicole Pierce attended FDA Produce Farm Investigation Course (ER321). Rob Atwill presented the module of Water-sources, and Xunde Li presented the module of Microbiology.
The course is presented around the country for FDA and state investigators who will conduct farm investigations in response to outbreaks or positive pathogen test results from produce. The course provides information on practices and conditions that may lead to microbiological contamination of fresh produce. The course includes presentations, site visits, interviews, hands-on exercises and group discussions. WIFSS and the Western Center for Food Safety will continue to work with FDA to improve the modules and the courses.
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June 1, 2012
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Center for Produce Safety Research Symposium
June 27, 2012
Davis, CA
The Center for Produce Safety will hold its annual Produce Research Symposium this week. Session topics that center around Good Agricultural Practices include Buffer Zones and Animal Vectors, Irrigation Water Quality, and Inputs, Cultivation and Harvest. Wash Water and Process Control is the final session for the day. Each session is followed by a panel discussion. Presenters and panelists represent diverse perspectives, including academic researchers, government scientists, and industry representatives. Among the presentations are the following:
• Developing buffer zone distances between sheep grazing operations and vegetable crops to maximize food safety. Bruce Hoar, University of California, Davis
• Evaluation of amphibians and reptiles as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens and risk reduction to protect fresh produce and the environment. Michele Jay-Russell, University of California, Davis
• Epidemiologic analysis and risk management practices for reducing E. coli in irrigation source water supplies and distribution systems. Rob Atwill, University of California, Davis
• Assessing postharvest risks for Salmonella in pistachios. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis
The complete agenda is available here.
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WIFSS Advisory Board
June 14, 2012
Davis, CA
Ten members of the Advisory Board met at WIFSS. Included in the agenda was a recap of current and pending WIFSS/WCFS research and outreach projects and reports from Board members representing CDPH, CAHFS, CDFA, and FDA on activities of interest to WIFSS and WCFS. Two board members have tendered their resignations due to conflicting professional obligations. The WIFSS Board thanked Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli and Dr. Mark Schenker for their valued service. The search has been initiated for replacement Board members.
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Raw Milk Safety
The AVMA’s “Chew on This” did a podcast interview with Michele Jay-Russell. They discussed why more people are buying raw milk, and the potential food safety hazards. Read more and listen to the podcast at the Keep Our Food Safe blog.
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US FDA Produce Farm Investigation Course
June 18-22, 2012
Monterey, CA
Bennie Osburn, Rob Atwill, Xunde Li, David Goldenberg, Missy Partyka, Elisabetta Lambertini, and Ronny Bond attended this course, which is presented around the country for FDA and state investigators who will conduct farm investigations in response to outbreaks or positive pathogen test results from produce. This course provides information on practices and conditions that may lead to microbiological contamination of fresh produce. The course includes presentations, site visits, interviews, hands-on exercises and group discussions.
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May 1, 2012
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Rob Atwill appointed Director of the Veterinary Medicine Extension Program
Michael Lairmore, Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, has announced that E. Rob Atwill was appointed as Director of the Veterinary Medicine Extension Program in the School effective May 1, 2012. In his capacity as Director, Atwill will participate and provide leadership on the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Program Council as the School’s representative. Dean Lairmore stated that the opportunities for collaboration between programs in Veterinary Medicine Extension, the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, and across the School of Veterinary Medicine are very exciting. Atwill will continue to serve as Director of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security.
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Rob Atwill
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DFA of California Annual Conferences
April 26, 2012
San Diego, CA
Linda Harris gave a presentation entitled “FSMA, Preventative Controls, Produce Safety Rule, and Product Testing” during a session on Pathogen Prevention in Food. The presentation covered aspects of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including what the dried fruit and nut industry should do today to prepare for the anticipated rules. In addition, the role of end product or raw material testing was covered and a demonstration done on the limitations of microbial testing when pathogen prevalence and levels are low. Tom Jones finished the session with a discussion of the importance of a pathogen environmental monitoring program.
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Western Food Safety Summit: Meeting the Challenges
May 10-11, 2012
Salinas, CA
Michele Jay-Russell presented two posters at Hartnell College’s Food Safety Summit. The program focused on food safety training for management, contractors, and auditors in the fresh produce supply chain. Speakers included experts from the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, UC Cooperative Extension, US FDA, University of Georgia, industry groups, and third party audit firms.
Jay-Russell’s poster presentations were entitled “Occurrence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in domestic and wild canid populations in a U.S.-Mexico desert southwest produce production region” (A. M. Fisher, Y. Lui, A. Thiptara, T. Nguyen, and M. Jay-Russell) and “Evaluation of amphibians and reptiles as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens and risk reduction to protect fresh produce and the environment” (M.T. Jay-Russell, L. Gorski, J. Montfort, Y. Liu, A. Fisher, S. Huang, J. Wheeler, D. Reis, R. E. Mandrell, X. Li, and E. R. Atwill). She also participated in a roundtable discussion that wrapped up the two-day program.
Hartnell College is a two-year community college that offers a degree in food safety as part of its Agricultural Technology and Business Institute.
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2012 Land Grant & Sea Grant National Water Conference
May 20-24, 2012
Portland, OR
This conference provides opportunities for water scientists, engineers, educators, and managers to share knowledge and ideas, to identify and update emerging issues. Xunde Li attended the conference, and presented “Occurrence of indicator and pathogenic bacteria in Sacramento River watersheds and San Joaquin River watersheds”, data from a project supported by California State Water Board. Rob Atwill and Li were co-authors on the following presentations at the conference:
Li, X., E.R. Atwill, S. Chen. Occurrence of indicator and pathogenic bacteria in watersheds in California’s Central Valley
Kolodziej, E.P., G.D. Jones, I.E. Popova, D.A. Bair, S.J. Parikh, E.R. Atwill, A.T. O’Geen, K.W. Tate. 2012. Transport and mitigation of beef cattle veterinary pharmaceuticals and hormones.
Harter, T., S. Cook, X. Li, E.R. Atwill, A.I. Packman. 2012. Stochastic analysis of non-point source loading of fecal bacteria in shallow heterogeneous aquifer.
The full agenda is available here.
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Food and Waterborne Protozoal Infection in Guangzhou, China
Rob Atwill and Xunde Li, in collaboration with Shouyi Chen, Chair of Endemic and Parasitic Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China, and his able surveillance team will conduct a new case-control epidemiological study on over 5000 cases of pediatric diarrhea in this city of 17 million people. Given the paucity of information on food and waterborne risk factors for protozoal infection in this part of tropical China, a key goal of this project is to identify specific routes of exposure via ingested food items, drinking and recreational water, and direct contact with animals for zoonotic strains of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis. Long term goals are to assist and partner with the many provinces of China to streamline and standardize the implementation of epidemiological studies regarding preventable risk factors for food and waterborne zoonotic disease.
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Rob Atwill (fourth from left) and Shouyi Chen (right of Atwill)
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California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT) Training
May 9-11, 2012
Sacramento, CA
Linda Harris organized a training program on microbial food safety of low moisture foods, which was sponsored by the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch (FDB), and funded by a Rapid Response Team grant from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Presenters were Harris, Tom Jones (DFA of California), Mike Needham (FDB), and Mary Palumbo (WIFSS and FDB). Topics included outbreaks that have been attributed to low moisture foods in the past, the recent Salmonella Rissen outbreak investigation (white pepper), risk factors for contamination, postharvest controls, and sampling and testing issues. The training was attended by approximately 30 people from FDB (Emergency Response Unit) and FDA (San Francisco and Los Angeles District Offices).
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Publications
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Unc, A., M.J. Goss, S. Cook, X. Li, E.R. Atwill, T. Harter. 2012. Matrix effects critical to microbial transport through the vadose zone to groundwater. Water Resources Research 48, W00L12, doi:10.1029/2011WR010775.
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April 26, 2012What consumers want to know about “Mad Cow Disease”
On April 24th, 2012 the US Department of Agriculture announced that routine surveillance testing had detected a California dairy cow with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
But why would the USDA’s announcement indicate that the detection of this cow represents no danger to the human food supply?
Some background is helpful in understanding not only this case, but BSE in general:
What is BSE?
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a degenerative neurological disease of cattle caused by mis-folded proteins (“prions”) that accumulate in the central nervous system. Over a period of years these protein accumulations crowd and kill bovine nerve cells, causing abnormal behavior and leading to the disease’s common name of “Mad Cow Disease”. Historically BSE has been spread in livestock by the feeding of cattle-derived proteins back to cattle, a practice which has been banned in the United States since 1997. Contaminated feed was the cause of the BSE epidemic in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in an decade-long outbreak involving some 180,000 cattle. Subsequently it was determined that, on rare occasions, people consuming tissues of BSE-affected cows could develop a neurological disease similar to both BSE and the human malady Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD). Ultimately some 200 human cases of this “new-variant CJD” were identified in people living in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Is the U.S. Food Supply Safe?
Yes. The carcass of the animal detected this week was never presented for slaughter for human consumption and never entered the human food chain. More important than the detection and removal of this particular cow however, are the multi-layered regulatory precautions in place since the 1990s, precautions which are described below. Collectively these safety measures have been successful in protecting both U.S. consumers and livestock from outbreaks of BSE. To date, there have been no cases of BSE transmission to American consumers associated with beef produced in the United States. Lastly, a substantial body of scientific research indicates that BSE is not transmitted through milk.
Is this part of an “Outbreak”?
No. The current evidence suggests that the recently detected animal was a single, isolated case rather than part of an outbreak. Confirmatory testing demonstrated that the suspect animal was positive for “atypical” BSE, a spontaneous form that appears to occur rarely in individual animals. This sporadic form has been detected only twice before in US cattle, once in Texas in 2005 and again in Alabama in 2006. Sophisticated laboratory procedures (immunohistochemistry and Western Blot protein analysis) can differentiate between the spontaneous “atypical” form of BSE and the “typical” form associated with consumption of contaminated cattle feed. While the current case appears to be isolated, out of an abundance of caution State and Federal investigators are performing an extensive epidemiologic investigation which will include inspection of relevant animals, feed sources and records.
Are BSE Safeguards in U.S. Working?
Yes. Since 1997 the U.S. has implemented interlocking safeguards to protect human and animal health against BSE. Centered on prohibition of feeding ruminant-derived material back to ruminants, these precautions have to date prevented livestock outbreaks in the United States such as occurred in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s. Worldwide, similar preventative measures have ultimately reduced the number of BSE cases detected in foreign cattle from 37,311 in 1992 to just 29 in 2011. In order to ensure that U.S. safeguards are in place and effective, regulatory agencies continue an extensive BSE surveillance program. Since the surveillance program’s inception in 1990, more than 1 million cattle at greatest risk for BSE have been tested, with about 40,000 high-risk cattle tested annually. This program represents an aggressive surveillance, in fact exceeding international guidelines by 10 fold. Most importantly relative to human health, cattle tissues known to contain concentrations of the prion protein (such as brain, spinal cord, some small intestine, called Specified Risk Materials) are diverted away from the human food chain at slaughter. Lastly, non-ambulatory cattle (sometimes called "downer cows") are also prevented from entering the human food chain.
Taken as a whole, these three interlocking safeguards (the ruminant-to-ruminant fed ban, surveillance testing, removal of Specified Risk Materials from all cattle at slaughter), have been remarkably effective in preventing BSE in cattle from being transmitted to humans. There have been only three cases of “new-variant CJD” described in the United States. All three cases involved foreign nationals, two from the United Kingdom and one from Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is strong evidence indicating that all three of these patients contracted disease while in their home country rather than during their stay in the U.S.
What is the University of California Doing to Help?
The University of California assists farmers in complying with the important feed regulations that prevent BSE from entering a herd.
Outreach materials from the University of California:
Additional information:
April 1, 2012
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Industrial College of the Armed Forces visited UC Davis and WIFSS
April 3, 2012
Davis, CA
A group of 18 persons (16 students and 2 faculty of Agribusiness Industry Study) from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) at the National Defense University visited UC Davis and WIFSS. The National Defense University campus is located at Fort McNair, Washington, DC.
The group is interested in issues pertaining to food security especially regarding Asia. They are also interested in how U.S. agriculture, agribusiness and research/educational institutions are drivers in the global agricultural products market and how that contributes to food security in the rest of the world. ICAF is a graduate level institution focusing on resourcing at the national strategic level. The students are a 60/40 split of military and civilian, most with 15-20 years’ experience in their professions. They spent a week looking at Agribusiness in California and visited UC Davis on April 3. Xunde Li met the group at WIFSS, presented to and had a discussion with the group on topics of International Agricultural Economy, Public Health and Food Safety.
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ICAF personnel visiting WIFSS
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Food Safety and Water Quality Co-management Forum
April 18, 2012
Watsonville, CA
This program, hosted by Farm, Food Safety, and Conservation Network, included two panel discussions in the morning and a field tour and discussion in the afternoon. The panel “Keeping Track of Changes in Food Safety Guidelines and Policy” discussed evolving food safety guidelines and policy, including the harmonization efforts between the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, and UC Davis Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Michele Jay-Russell participated in a panel discussion on “The Science of Risk Assessment” about current knowledge on the fate and transport of pathogens in the farm landscape. A news item about the meeting may be found here on the website of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Farm, Food Safety, & Conservation Network is a Central Coast region working group whose purpose is to facilitate the coordination of organizations to support the agricultural industry’s efforts to reduce food safety risks while minimizing impacts to water quality, wildlife and habitat.
Download the Meeting Agenda.
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FDA Produce Farm Investigation Course
April 23-27, 2012
Tampa, FL
The goal of FDA’s Produce Farm Investigation course (ER321) is to train investigators and inspectors on how to conduct investigations at farms and packing facilities that have been implicated in fresh produce related outbreaks and positive pathogen samples. These findings will be used to identify possible contributing factors and environmental antecedents that led to the contamination. This course provides information on practices and conditions that may lead to microbiological contamination of fresh produce. The course includes presentations, site visits, interviews, hands-on exercises and group discussions. WIFSS’ Bruce Hoar, David Goldenberg, Elisabetta Lambertini, Missy Partyka, Rob Atwill, and Xunde Li participated in the course. FDA will conduct the course again in June and July in California through collaboration with WIFSS.
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Publications
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Abd, S.J., K.L. McCarthy, and L.J. Harris. 2012. Impact of storage time and temperature on thermal inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 on oil-roasted almonds. J. Food Sci. 77(1):M42-M47.
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The Raw Milk Controversy
The New Yorker
Issue dated April 30, 2012
Michele Jay-Russell is quoted in this article by Dana Goodyear about the raw milk controversy. She also did a phone interview recorded in a podcast on New Yorker Out Loud with Curtis Fox (click on April 30 edition "listen" and the interview comes before the Stanford piece). The New Yorker focuses on taste and culinary aspects of raw milk. Jay-Russell provided information on the potential risks of raw milk and importance of weighing these risks against the perceived benefits. For more information on raw milk, visit www.realrawmilkfacts.com.
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What consumers want to know about “Mad Cow Disease”
By Mike Payne
On April 24th, 2012 the US Department of Agriculture announced that routine surveillance testing had detected a California dairy cow with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
But why would the USDA’s announcement indicate that the detection of this cow represents no danger to the human food supply?
Some background is helpful in understanding not only this case, but BSE in general:
What is BSE?
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is a degenerative neurological disease of cattle caused by mis-folded proteins (“prions”) that accumulate in the central nervous system. Over a period of years these protein accumulations crowd and kill bovine nerve cells, causing abnormal behavior and leading to the disease’s common name of “Mad Cow Disease”. Historically BSE has been spread in livestock by the feeding of cattle-derived proteins back to cattle, a practice which has been banned in the United States since 1997. Contaminated feed was the cause of the BSE epidemic in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in an decade-long outbreak involving some 180,000 cattle. Subsequently it was determined that, on rare occasions, people consuming tissues of BSE-affected cows could develop a neurological disease similar to both BSE and the human malady Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD). Ultimately some 200 human cases of this “new-variant CJD” were identified in people living in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Is the U.S. Food Supply Safe?
Yes. The carcass of the animal detected this week was never presented for slaughter for human consumption and never entered the human food chain. More important than the detection and removal of this particular cow however, are the multi-layered regulatory precautions in place since the 1990s, precautions which are described below. Collectively these safety measures have been successful in protecting both U.S. consumers and livestock from outbreaks of BSE. To date, there have been no cases of BSE transmission to American consumers associated with beef produced in the United States. Lastly, a substantial body of scientific research indicates that BSE is not transmitted through milk.
Is this part of an “Outbreak”?
No. The current evidence suggests that the recently detected animal was a single, isolated case rather than part of an outbreak. Confirmatory testing demonstrated that the suspect animal was positive for “atypical” BSE, a spontaneous form that appears to occur rarely in individual animals. This sporadic form has been detected only twice before in US cattle, once in Texas in 2005 and again in Alabama in 2006. Sophisticated laboratory procedures (immunohistochemistry and Western Blot protein analysis) can differentiate between the spontaneous “atypical” form of BSE and the “typical” form associated with consumption of contaminated cattle feed. While the current case appears to be isolated, out of an abundance of caution State and Federal investigators are performing an extensive epidemiologic investigation which will include inspection of relevant animals, feed sources and records.
Are BSE Safeguards in U.S. Working?
Yes. Since 1997 the U.S. has implemented interlocking safeguards to protect human and animal health against BSE. Centered on prohibition of feeding ruminant-derived material back to ruminants, these precautions have to date prevented livestock outbreaks in the United States such as occurred in the United Kingdom in the 1980s and 1990s. Worldwide, similar preventative measures have ultimately reduced the number of BSE cases detected in foreign cattle from 37,311 in 1992 to just 29 in 2011. In order to ensure that U.S. safeguards are in place and effective, regulatory agencies continue an extensive BSE surveillance program. Since the surveillance program’s inception in 1990, more than 1 million cattle at greatest risk for BSE have been tested, with about 40,000 high-risk cattle tested annually. This program represents an aggressive surveillance, in fact exceeding international guidelines by 10 fold. Most importantly relative to human health, cattle tissues known to contain concentrations of the prion protein (such as brain, spinal cord, some small intestine, called Specified Risk Materials) are diverted away from the human food chain at slaughter. Lastly, non-ambulatory cattle (sometimes called "downer cows") are also prevented from entering the human food chain.
Taken as a whole, these three interlocking safeguards (the ruminant-to-ruminant fed ban, surveillance testing, removal of Specified Risk Materials from all cattle at slaughter), have been remarkably effective in preventing BSE in cattle from being transmitted to humans. There have been only three cases of “new-variant CJD” described in the United States. All three cases involved foreign nationals, two from the United Kingdom and one from Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is strong evidence indicating that all three of these patients contracted disease while in their home country rather than during their stay in the U.S.
What is the University of California Doing to Help?
The University of California assists farmers in complying with the important feed regulations that prevent BSE from entering a herd.
Outreach materials from the University of California:
Additional information:
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March 1, 2012
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Food Safety Documentary
“Better Safe than Sorry”, a 30 minute documentary on food safety and food sensory research being conducted at UC Davis, will air on KVIE’s weekly public affairs program, Viewfinder, on three dates (March 28, 7 p.m.; March 30, 4 p.m.; and April 1, 6 p.m.). WIFSS senior scientists (Drs. Rob Atwill, Michele Jay-Russell, and Bruce Hoar), laboratory staff, and graduate students Eduardo Vivas and Kristine Fernandez are featured in the program. The focus of the special is in part the national issue of how do we as a nation grow safe produce that is pathogen-free in order to support healthy eating habits throughout the United States. University Communications, in collaboration with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, produced this video with support from Agilent Technologies, Inc. A reception was held on March 19th in the Robert Mondavi Institute’s Silverado Vineyard Sensory Theatre, followed by a screening of the documentary and a brief question and answer session.
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25th Vertebrate Pest Conference
March 5-8, 2012
Monterey, CA
Rob Atwill, Xunde Li, and Michele Jay-Russell gave presentations in the Wildlife and Food Safety session on March 6. This was the 50th anniversary of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, and included speakers from the US, Australia and New Zealand, and the UK. Rob Atwill chaired the session on Wildlife and Food Safety, and all three scientists participated in a panel discussion on food safety risks associated with wildlife. Jay-Russell also participated in the field trip on March 5, and gave a presentation on food safety to the group at a produce farm with Shannon Chandler from USDA Wildlife Service where they talked about feral pigs. Titles of the presentations were:
Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) as a Vector of Foodborne Protozoa Adjacent to Produce Production Fields
Xunde Li*, Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, CA
Methodological and Epidemiological Concerns When Comparing Microbial Food Safety Risks from Wildlife, Livestock, and Domestic Animals
Edward R. Atwill*, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, University of California, Davis, CA
Zoonotic Risks from Amphibians and Reptiles
Michele Jay-Russell*, Western Center for Food Safety, University of California, Davis, CA
Final Program
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International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases
March 11-15, 2012
Atlanta, GA
Michele Jay-Russell and Alexis Fisher attended the eighth convening of this international conference of public health professionals. Current work on surveillance, epidemiology, research, communication and training, bioterrorism, and preventions and control of emerging infectious diseases, both in the United States and abroad, were discussed. Papers presented by Jay-Russell and Fisher were:
Isolation of Salmonella Oranienburg from Horses and Wild Turkeys on a Ranch in Northern California, and Contamination of the Family’s Edible Home Garden Following Raw Manure Application
M. Jay-Russell, J.E. Madigan, Y. Liu, A. Fisher, S. Madigan, B.A. Byrne
Occurrence of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coliand Salmonella enterica in Domestic and Wild Canid Populations in a U.S.-Mexico Desert Southwest Produce Production Region
A.M. Fisher, Y. Liu, A. Thiptara, T. Nguyen, M. Jay-Russell
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Publications
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M. T. Jay-Russell, A. Bates, L. Harden, W. G. Miller, R. E. Mandrell. 2012. Isolation of Campylobacterfrom Feral Swine (Sus scrofa) on the Ranch Associated with the 2006 Escherichia coli O157:H7 Spinach Outbreak Investigation in California. Zoonoses and Public Health . Article first published online: 8 MAR 2012
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February 1, 2012
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2012 Human Pathogens on Plants Workshop: Multidisciplinary Strategy for Research
February 13-15, 2012
Hyattsville, MD
Michele Jay-Russell participated in this conference, sponsored by The American Phytopathological Society. It was intended to bring together members of the food science and plant pathology communities to share and highlight ongoing research, develop collaborations, and plan a national research agenda for the future to address complex questions related to the contamination of plants with human pathogens. Speakers included representatives from academia (Trevor Suslow, UC Davis, and others), government (CDC, FDA, USDA-ARS), and industry associations (PMA).
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Tomato Processing School
January 30, 2012
Sacramento, CA
Linda Harris participated as an instructor in the Tomato Processing Technology Workshop held every other year in conjunction with the California League of Food Processors Expo and Showcase. This workshop is designed for current employees of tomato processing companies who wish to expand their knowledge of the entire operation of the business.
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Better Process Control School
February 21-24 2012
Davis, CA
Linda Harris presented three lectures in the UC Davis Cooperative Extension four-day Better Process Control School (BPCS) on microbiology, acidified foods, and sanitation. The BPCS was established primarily for operating supervisors, the individual who is in the plant at the time a canned food product is packed and processed. The school is particularly intended for operating supervisors involved in production of thermally processed low acid and acidified foods. More information is available here. The Better Process Control School is also offered on-line.
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Food Safety News
February 22, 2012
Michele Jay-Russell is quoted in an article entitled CDC: Raw Milk Much More Likely to Cause Illness by James Andrews. The article cites data from a just published article in Emerging Infectious Disease which reviews data on nonpasteurized dairy product-related illnesses between 1993 and 2006. The CDC article is an update of a similar study published by FDA-CFSAN in 1998, on raw milk-related outbreaks from 1973-1992. Andrews quotes Jay-Russell: “It's really helpful to have these numbers updated as interest in raw milk increases through activist groups. I wouldn't say the statistics are surprising, but it's helpful to know that, unfortunately, things have not really changed since the last report." The Food Safety News article may be found here. For more information visit the Real Raw Milk Facts website.
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Dr. Michele Jay-Russell
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Publications
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Lambertini, E., M.D. Danyluk, D.W. Schaffner, C.K. Winter, and L.J. Harris. 2012. Risk of salmonellosis from consumption of almonds in the North American market. Food Res. Int. 45:1166–1174.
Harris, L.J., A.R. Uesugi, S.J. Abd, and K.L. McCarthy. 2012. Survival of Salmonella Enteritidis PT30 on inoculated almond kernels in hot water treatments. Food Res. Int. 45:1093-1098.
Blessington, T., E.J. Mitcham, and L.J. Harris. 2012. Survival of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coliO157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on inoculated walnut kernels during storage. J. Food Prot. 75:245-254.
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IAFP "Microbial Challenge Testing for Foods" Workshop
May 1-2, 2012
Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois
This workshop first was offered in August 2010 at the IAFP annual meeting as a preconference event and repeated in April 2011. In response to member interest, it will be presented again this year. Presenters include Linda Harris, Don Schaffner, and Kathy Glass. Because of the many questions raised by regulatory and industry professionals about the appropriate use of challenge studies, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) was asked to provide guidance on the topic of challenge studies and their use. This workshop will present the NACMCF report and instructors will guide the students though use of the material in the report to develop actual challenge study protocols based on NACMCF recommendations. Registration is now open and will be limited to the first 35 attendees. Go here for more information.
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January 1, 2012
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WIFSS collaborates with Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Shouyi Chen, Director of the Department of Parasitic and Endemic Disease, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China, has been at WIFSS since last fall. Supported by Guangzhou City Medical and Health Key Discipline and Special Talent Program, Dr. Chen will stay at WIFSS for one year as a visiting scholar. He is interested in detecting and fingerprinting of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. These two organisms are major foodborne and waterborne parasites cause zoonotic diseases worldwide.
Dr. Chen works together with Xunde Li and Rob Atwill to investigate the risk factors of foodborne Cryptosporidiumand Giardia for children (1-10 years old) in Guangzhou as a part of a one-year parasite survey program in Guangzhou City. Cryptosporidium and Giardia will be detected by fluorescent microscopy and identified by PCR and DNA sequencing. A questionnaire focus on food safety was developed to determine the sources and risk factors regarding Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection in children.
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Dr. Shouyi Chen
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KVIE UC Davis News Watch Video Featuring WIFSS
January 2012
Scientists at WIFSS use DNA to identify the source of pathogens and to track and control foodborne outbreaks. This video, entitled Tracking Foodborne Pathogens, shows several WIFSS staff at work, including Rob Atwill, Michele Jay-Russell, Bruce Hoar, Yingjia Liu, Eduardo Vivas, and Kristine Fernandez.
The video was produced by Ken Zukins Productions, reported by Kristine Simoes, and originally broadcast on KVIE (PBS).
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Video: Tracking Food-borne Pathogens
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IAFP "Microbial Challenge Testing for Foods" Workshop
May 1-2, 2012
Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois
This workshop first was offered in August 2010 at the IAFP annual meeting as a preconference event and repeated in April 2011. In response to member interest, it will be presented again this year. Presenters include Linda Harris, Don Schaffner, and Kathy Glass. Because of the many questions raised by regulatory and industry professionals about the appropriate use of challenge studies, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) was asked to provide guidance on the topic of challenge studies and their use. This workshop will present the NACMCF report and instructors will guide the students though use of the material in the report to develop actual challenge study protocols based on NACMCF recommendations. Registration is now open and will be limited to the first 35 attendees. Go here for more information.
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December 1, 2011
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A Holdiay Message from WIFSS and WCFS
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We at WIFSS and WCFS wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season and prosperity for the new year.
The message below is brought to you by Salmonella (Happy) and E. coli O157:H7 (Holidays).
May your holiday season be foodborne pathogen free!
To assist you, please check out the partnership for food safety education Holiday Food Safety website.
Best wishes,
From all of us at WIFSS and WCFS
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National Academy of Sciences Beckman Center
January 4, 2012
Irvine, CA
Linda Harris will be the January speaker for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) program “Distinctive Voices” at the Beckman Center. NAS is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the public good. It was created in 1863 to provide independent advice to the government on matters related to science and technology. The National Research Council (NRC) was created under the NAS charter in 1916 to extend the scope of the NAS in its advisory role. The National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine were organized under the NAS charter in 1964 and 1970, respectively. Distinctive Voices was created in 2006 as a program of the NAS Communication Initiative to increase science literacy. Tickets to this event may be purchased here.
Past lectures in this series may be viewed on the Distinctive Voices YouTube channel.
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Produce Marketing Association
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA), recognizing that its members either have or will soon need to establish food safety programs, has created a Food Safety Resource Center on its website. Michele Jay-Russell wrote two articles on the role of epidemiology in investigation of foodborne illness outbreak investigations (below). PMA’s Dr. Bob Whitaker interviewed Jay-Russell about epidemiology for his blog.
From the PMA website: “Epidemiology is the cornerstone of public health investigation and discovery. Public health practitioners rely on epidemiologic associations to help determine the source of foodborne disease outbreaks and implement control measures. Epidemiologic studies frequently provide new insights into emerging foodborne pathogens and food vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the principles and practices of epidemiology in the context of foodborne disease outbreaks.
In Part 2 of our piece on epidemiology, a hypothetical epidemiological investigation has been constructed to provide insight into the roles of various public health professionals and their activities during the identification and examination of a food borne illness. This case is typical of many that the produce industry has witnessed over the last several years and describes the protocols that are followed by health care professionals as the local, county, state and federal levels.“
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Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention (CFI)
Michele Jay-Russell recently was appointed to the Board of Directors of CFI. CFI is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 to help find science-based solutions for food challenges. It encourages and facilitates research, raises awareness about the scope and impact of foodborne illnesses, and provides consumers with information they need to make educated choices about food. CFI advocates on behalf of American consumers for stronger food safety policies aimed at improving public health and also encourages and assists individuals who have been significantly impacted by serious foodborne disease.
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November 1, 2011
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Jilin University Partnership
After two years of negotiation by Rob Atwill and Xunde Li and our colleagues at Jilin University, WIFSS has formally partnered with Heping Campus, Jilin University, to establish the China-US Center for Food Safety Research and Training. This new research and training center will focus on advancing food security in China, promoting food safety with an emphasis on residues and pathogens, collaborating with China to develop their export markets for the wide variety of commodities they produce, and partnering on research projects focused on sustainable farming practices. China continues to play an ever greater role in feeding consumers in the U.S. and throughout the world and it is our hope that this center, in close collaboration with our colleagues at Jilin University, will help insure that these globally-distributed foods are safe and wholesome.
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Rob Atwill (right) meets Jilin University officials
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Yangling International Agri-Science Forum
November 6, 2011
Yangling, China
Rob Atwill and Xunde Li gave presentations on microbial food safety in produce to a large audience of Chinese scientists and graduate students at the 2011 Yangling International Agri-Science Forum, Northwest A&F University. Microbial food safety is a relatively new topic in China and this was a good opportunity to demonstrate the pioneering work that the California produce industry has undertaken during these past few years to promote produce food safety through research and extension.
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Regulatory Guidelines for Recreational Water
November 15-17, 2011
Atlanta, GA
EPA is preparing to release new regulatory guidelines for monitoring microbial water quality for recreational waters. In preparation for an upsurge in regulatory attention on recreational water, Rob Atwill chaired an EPA-sponsored committee charged with identifying the state of the science on avian and other wildlife fecal contamination as potential sources of human pathogens for a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, November 15-17. Scientists from academia, governmental agencies, and consulting firms together participated in developing a brief on human recreational exposure to waterborne pathogen from wildlife.
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Almond Board of California Student Food Innovation Competition
November 2, 2011
Shanghai, China
While in China, Linda Harris was a judge for the Almond Board of California Student Food Innovation Competition. The 2011 almond innovation student competition (8th annual) had a live judging session on November 2 where top 10 product innovation teams and top 10 product communication teams competed in front of 30-40 judges from the US and Chinese academia, food industry and media. The link below is an 18 min video clip (put together by a student intern) that captures a few highlights of the competition and the award winning products. There will be a couple of commercials in Chinese (about 15 sec) before the summary begins. The products were pretty innovative and worth a review. In addition to the product development competition there was a competition for product commercials. The first place teams will travel to the US next summer to visit the Almond Board of California and UC Davis and to attend the annual IFT meeting.
See video of the competition.
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October 1, 2011
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Basic and Advanced HACCP
October 24-28, 2011
Davis, CA
Linda Harris participated in back to back Basic and Advanced HACCP workshops held at UC Davis. Bruce Hoar (WIFSS) and Lisa Benjamin (WCFS) also participated in the workshop, which attracted food safety personnel from a wide range of processing facilities (both in scale and type) from California and as far away as Alaska and New York. These courses are offered annually at UC Davis and are recognized by the International HACCP Alliance.
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In the News
September 1, 2011
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WIFSS Has Moved!
WIFSS staff members have been busy this month with the move from Cousteau Place to new offices at 1477 Drew Ave., Suite 101, Davis, CA 95618. New directions may be found on the WIFSS website on the Contact Us page. The new office space has a lovely conference room, free parking, and closer proximity to restaurants and a hotel. It is near the Richards Blvd. (south) exit from Interstate 80.
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WIFSS Assists Students in 2011-2012 FOOD FACTOR® Challenge
The FIRST® LEGO® League announced details of its 2011-2012 FOOD FACTOR® Challenge during National Food Safety Education Month. More than 200,000 kid scientists will take on food contamination in inventor Dean Kamen’s FIRST food safety challenge. Michele Jay-Russell assisted Team Intellibots from the Sacramento area by answering questions about current events and hot topics in food safety.
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Publications
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Feral in the Fields: Food Safety Risks from Wildlife
Managing low probability, high consequence hazards
By Michele Jay-Russell
Published in Food Safety News on September 19, 2011
Last month's announcement by the Oregon Health Authority confirmed that deer droppings were the source of E. coli O157:H7 contamination in strawberry fields linked to 15 human illnesses, including one death. These findings are not unprecedented because undercooked venison is a recognized vehicle of transmission for E. coli O157:H7. Indeed, the first outbreak of deer meat-associated E. coli O157:H7 was described in 1995 among Oregon residents.
Prior to the strawberry outbreak, free-roaming wild animals were investigated as a potential source of fresh produce contamination during several notable outbreaks. In 1996, deer intrusion into apple orchards in California with subsequent fecal contamination of dropped apples was identified as a possible contributing factor in a multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with unpasteurized apple juice.
In 2006, a nationwide outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was traced to baby spinach grown on a single ranch in California, where a large population of feral pigs shared pasture with a grass-fed beef cattle herd; feces from cattle and feral pigs tested positive for the spinach outbreak strain. Two years later in Alaska, public health officials investigating a campylobacteriosis outbreak linked to raw peas found the outbreak strain in fecal material from a large population of sandhill cranes feeding in the pea fields.
These outbreaks illustrate the potential for wildlife to carry foodborne pathogens and cause illness through ingestion of contaminated fresh produce. However, how significant is this food safety risk?
Read the whole story.
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August 1, 2011
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International Association for Food Protection
July 31-August 3, 2011
Milwaukee, WI
Linda Harris, Michele Jay-Russell, Xunde Li, Tyann Blessington and Lisa Benjamin attended the IAFP annual meeting. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the organization’s founding in Milwaukee by dairy sanitarians (the original name was International Association of Dairy and Milk Inspectors). The 2011 annual meeting attracted over 2500 individuals from 46 countries, 44 states, and 6 Canadian provinces. A video of food safety professionals (including Linda Harris) offering toasts to the organization has been posted on the IAFP website. Papers authored by WIFSS staff and their students included the following (abstracts available online):
P1-119 Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild Rodent Populations Adjacent to Produce Production Fields--XUNDE LI, Edward Atwill, Tamara Vodovoz, Eduardo Vivas, Chengling Xiao, Christopher Kilonzo, Michele Jay-Russell and Trân Nguyen, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
P3-31 Rdar Morphotype and Its Relationship to Desiccation Tolerance inSalmonella spp. — LUXIN WANG and Linda J. Harris, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
P3-96 Real Raw Milk Facts: An Innovative Evidence-based Food Safety Website—MICHELE T. JAY-RUSSELL, William D. Marler, Katherine Feldman, Michael Payne, Patti Waller and Ronald H. Schmidt, WIFSS, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
P3-114 Long-term Survival of Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on Inoculated Almonds and In-shell Pistachios at Three Storage Temperatures — HARBIR KAUR, Martha Kimber, Michelle D. Danyluk and Linda J. Harris, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
P3-115 Behavior of Inoculated Salmonella spp. in Postharvest Pistachio Handling — VANESSA M. MORALES, Harbir Kaur, Irene Y. Zhao and Linda J. Harris, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
P3-137 Evaluation of Factors That Impact Transfer of Escherichia coli from Gloves to Surfaces — IRENE Y. ZHAO and Linda J. Harris, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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In Memory of Robert E. (Bob) Frost
We mourn the loss of Bob Frost who worked part-time for WIFSS since 2008 on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Agroterrorism Training Grant and the FDA Rapid Response Team Grant. Frost lost his battle with cancer on August 15. While not at WIFSS, Bob raised llamas on his ranch in Lincoln. He was a board member of the International Llama Association. Frost was a past president of the US Animal Health Association (USAHA) and he was lifetime member of the USAHA Board. Bob was an advocate for protecting humans from zoonotic diseases related to wildlife. He worked to benefit laboratory practices and he assisted in many projects to enhance USDA's animal health laboratories at Plum Island, New York, Ames, Iowa and the Ft. Collins, Colorado wildlife facility. As a part-time employee, Bob always found time to put WIFSS business at the forefront of his activities. He will be missed by the WIFSS team.
Obituaries:
Sacramento Bee
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Bob Frost
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Working to Reduce Microbial Foodborne Illness
The Summer 2011 issue of CA&ES Outlook magazine from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis includes an interview with Dr. Linda Harris (page 7) who since 2001 has worked closely with the almond industry to develop the scientific data needed to evaluate microbial risks in this crop.
Drs. Trevor Suslow and Linda Harris were interviewed for the same issue of in an article “UC Davis delivers the science to improve food safety.” (page 6) Suslow and his team often travel around the state of California to inform growers about the latest research, and when a contamination event is reported they travel on site as quickly as possible to capture data. The data is then used to fill in the gaps in information collected in controlled research trials targeted at reducing the risks to public health. Harris, Suslow, and other UC Davis food safety experts work collaboratively with researchers, industry, and regulators in the wide variety of disciplines that are needed to investigate microbial food safety risks in the food supply chain.
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Consumer Food Safety for Summer Gardens
WIFSS and UC Food Safety Websites
Two publications of interest may be picked up at WIFSS, downloaded or ordered in bulk for training purposes. Send requests to Linda Harris for bulk orders and provide a UPS or FedEx account number.
Food Safety Tips for Edible Landscape Plants and Garden Produce
This publication provides a brief outline of the important components of microbial food safety practices for home gardeners and edible landscape practitioners. The diversity and scale of home garden environments, gardening practices, and food handling practices make a single approach to food safety planning in the garden unrealistic. This publication, drawn from research and practical experience, focuses on the key guiding principles of preventing contamination, reducing the survival of pathogens, and preventing cross-contamination at each step.
Spanish
English
Safe Handling of Fruits and Vegetables (with magnet)
Guidelines for minimizing the risk of foodborne illness from fresh fruits and vegetables through proper handling, washing, and storage. The publication is available as a brochure in both English and Spanish and as a camera-ready version of a refrigerator magnet.
Spanish
English
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Coming Event
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Your Sustainable Backyard: Olives
September 24, 2011
Davis, CA
Linda Harris will be the lunchtime speaker with a presentation on safe techniques for harvesting and curing your olives. Also included will be a guided olive oil tasting, an olive curing demonstration and more! The event will take place at the beautiful Sensory Theater in the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis. Please join us for the workshop, tastings, demonstration and a lunch (included with your registration of $45). Agenda is here.
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New Resource from the FDA
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Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence-Based User's Guide
Baruch Fischhoff, PhD, Noel T. Brewer, PhD, & Julie S. Downs, PhD, editors
US Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration
Risk Communication Advisory Committee and consultants.
If you are involved in risk communication, here is a resource for you: Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence Based User's Guide. This volume, from FDA's Risk Communication Advisory Committee and consultants, presents pointers on communication design, summaries of scientific foundations, and tips for evaluating communications in range of budgets. Effective risk communication is essential to the well-being of any organization and those people who depend on it. Ineffective communication can cost lives, money, and reputations. Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence-Based User's Guide provides the scientific foundations for effective communication.
Read the guide.
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July 1, 2011
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Almond Board of California
July 13, 2011
Lodi, CA
The Almond Board held its 13th Annual Food Quality and Safety Symposium in the Wine and Roses Hotel in Lodi, attended by approximately 200 people. Linda Harris presented a talk entitled “Ten years of studying Salmonella in almonds—what we have learned”. A recognition plaque presented to her was inscribed “Dr. Linda Harris aka ‘The Almond Queen’, In appreciation for your outstanding service to the California almond industry July 2011.”
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The Almond Queen
Linda Harris
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Manure Management
A new resource on manure management compiled by Michael Payne has been posted on the website of the Western Center for Food Safety. Selected recommendations include the following:
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Animal manure can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli O157:H7, as well as parasites like roundworms and tapeworms.
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Persons most likely to be seriously harmed by manure pathogens include pregnant women, the elderly, infants and children and the immune-compromised.
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Animal manure can be used as an effective fertilizer and soil amendment but it should not be allowed to contaminate foods which are consumed uncooked, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Store manure away from areas where fresh produce is grown and handled. Use distance or physical barriers to prevent runoff or wind drift of manure. Prevent cross-contamination by tools or farm equipment.
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When growing fresh fruits and vegetables, adequately composting animal manure is the most effective practice.
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In addition to composting animal manures other manure management practices can be used including field-applying manure shortly after harvesting and incorporating the manure into the soil as soon as possible.
See more manure management resources here.
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Upcoming Events
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HACCP Workshops
October 24-28, 2011
Davis, CA
Basic HACCP: A Food Safety Program and Advanced HACCP: Verification, Implementation, and Other Challenges will be presented by UC Davis Extension. Both programs are accredited by the International HACCP Alliance. Instructors include Linda Harris, Nina Parkinson, and Michael Jantschke. These workshops were developed to better prepare members of the food industry and associated businesses to understand food safety for their own products and for ingredients they may purchase.
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June 1, 2011
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2011 CPS Produce Research Symposium
June 28, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Rob Atwill, Linda Harris, and Michele Jay-Russell presented findings from research projects supported by the Center for Produce Safety in a program organized into five sessions. In the first four sessions, presentations focused on one topic area and were followed by a moderator-led panel discussion. Panelists included representatives from the produce industry, produce trade associations, and regulatory agencies. The final session featured a panel discussion on topics such as future opportunities, the role of public/private partnerships, and how to employ research findings in the produce industry. Presentations by WIFSS and Western Center for Food Safety researchers included the following:
• Impact of almond moisture, almond cultivar and Salmonella serovar on the desiccation, persistence and heat resistance of Salmonella in almonds. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis.
• Epidemiologic analysis and risk management practices for reducing E. coli in irrigation source water supplies and distribution systems. Rob Atwill, University of California, Davis.
• Assessing postharvest risks for Salmonella in pistachios. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis.
• Investigation of potential reservoirs of shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Salmonella in produce production areas of Arizona and Mexico (Rapid Response). Michele Jay-Russell, University of California, Davis.
• Evaluation of amphibians and reptiles as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens and risk reduction to protect fresh produce and the environment. Michele Jay-Russell, University of California, Davis.
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GAPs Training and Educational Materials Conference
June 29-30, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Michele Jay-Russell represented WCFS at the "Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training and Educational Materials Conference" hosted by the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA). The primary purpose of this meeting was to identify effective training and educational materials that can support the PSA mission of developing a nationwide GAPs training curriculum and educational outreach program. Specific focus areas for the PSA included GAPs and comanagement education and outreach efforts for fresh produce farmers and packers with special emphasis on small scale operations. In addition to the review of GAPs training and educational materials, an update of the PSA’s progress to date was provided on the second day of the conference.
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Raymond Yoder describes a produce good agricultural practices (GAP) training program customized for Amish and Mennonite farmers.
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May 1, 2011
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Advanced Topics in Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce Workshop
April 27-29, 2011
Wimauma, Florida
About 25 people participated in the Florida offering of the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative grant supported workshop “Advanced Topics in Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce”. The workshop was held at the Balm Campus, Gulf Research & Education Center. Topics included an introduction to Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, science basis for GAP and GHP standards and metrics, and considerations in pathogen testing. The breakout sessions allowed for interaction and in-depth discussion of issues related to metrics associated with good agricultural practices. Extensive resources were provided to participants. Instructors included Trevor Suslow and Linda Harris from UC Davis and Michelle Danyluk and Keith Schneider from the University of Florida.
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April 1, 2011
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AVMA Announces New Podcast: Chickens in the Neighborhood
A couple years ago, AVMA took a look at the ins and outs of running a chicken coop in a residential area. Now, with more and more towns and cities allowing people to have chicken coops in residential areas, consumers are asking questions about the safety of the eggs from these chickens. In this podcast, Dr. Michele Jay-Russell of the UC DavisWestern Center for Food Safety discusses what you should know before you buy eggs from the house down the block, instead of the grocery store. Listen to the podcast here.
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Copyright © The Regents of the University of California, Davis campus, 2007-11. All Rights Reserved.
March 1, 2011
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Concerned About Radiation in Food? Here are Some Facts to Consider...
by Michael Payne
WIFSS has received several calls from media and consumers asking whether the Japanese nuclear reactor accident could affect the US food supply, in particular dairy products. The most important message for consumers is that our domestic food safety remains unaffected by events in Japan but, in an abundance of caution, state and federal regulatory agencies are aggressively monitoring our air, water and food.
Other useful information includes:
- It’s important to remember that reactor accident occurred more than 5 thousand miles from the western coast of the United States.
- Theoretical dispersion models by EPA predict that that fallout will not substantively raise background levels of radiation in the United States or its territories.
- However, to be on the safe side, federal agencies are monitoring air, rain, drinking water and milk through its RadNet system
- Relative to imported food, FDA has released a fact sheet describing the systems in place protecting the US food supply
On the question of potassium iodide supplements:
Due to public concern there is an increased demand for potassium iodide which is used to prevent and treat harmful effects of radiation in people actually exposed. The FDA is not currently recommending that residents of the United States or its territories take potassium iodide, even as a preventative measure. Potassium iodide is only appropriate within close proximity to a nuclear event and inappropriate use can have adverse side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding. Poison control centers have in fact already reported illnesses in people overdosing potassium iodide. In addition, the FDA is alerting consumers to be wary of internet sites and other retail outlets promoting products making false claims to prevent or treat effects of radiation or products that are not FDA-approved. These fraudulent products come in all varieties including dietary supplements, food items, or other products. For more information which puts radiation risk in perspective, visit the California Department of Health Services Questions & Answers page.
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European Commission Visits WIFSS
March 28, 2011
Davis, CA
Dr. Marco Valletta, Assistant to the Director General, Directorate General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission (SANCO), visited WIFSS. He is responsible for overall coordination of the activities of SANCO in the fields of food safety, food and veterinary controls, consumer affairs, public health, risk assessment and animal health and welfare. He also manages institutional relations with the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.
Dr. Valletta was invited to the United States by the Department of State (DOS) under the auspices of the DOS’ International Visitor Leadership Program. Objectives of his visit were to examine broad issues including US-EU trade policy, agriculture, food safety, biotechnology, animal husbandry and so on. Requested by the International Program Office of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, Rob Atwill and Xunde Li met Dr. Valletta and discussed current trends of microbial safety of produce in the US and EU. He took particular interest in the proposed Produce Safety Rule being developed by FDA.
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Drs. Valletta (left) and Atwill
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Sacramento and El Dorado County Master Food Preservers
March 5 and 22, 2011
Sacramento, CA and Placerville, CA
Master Food Preservers is a UC Cooperative Extension affiliated volunteer program that offers courses to the public on home food preservation. Linda Harris provided about 4 hours of lecture on the principles of home preservation and food safety.
The interest in home food preservation has increased in recent years and the volunteers provide an important service in educating the public on safe methods. Additional information on home preservation can be found here.
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Advanced Topics in Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce Workshops
March 1-3, 2011
Davis, CA
About 20 people attended this course, presented under the sponsorship of the USDA Specialty Crops Project Increasing Consumption of Specialty Crops by Enhancing their Quality and Safety. Topics included an introduction to Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, science basis for GAP and GHP standards and metrics, and consideration and conflicts in pathogen testing. There was lots of interaction and discussion of issues related to metrics associated with good agricultural practices. Instructors included Trevor Suslow and Linda Harris from UC Davis and Michelle Danyluk and Keith Schneider from the University of Florida. The course will be presented again April 27-29 in Wimauma, FL.
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Western Growers Science & Technology Meeting
March 16, 2011
Sacramento, CA
Michele Jay-Russell was invited by WIFSS Board member, Hank Giclas, to serve as an Ad Hoc member of the Food Safety Science and Technology Committee. The committee met in Sacramento this month to discuss emerging food safety, water quality, and sustainability issues.
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Research Participation Sought
Rob Atwill and the laboratory staff at WIFSS partnered with Luana Kiger and her colleagues at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, to evaluate the microbial risks of tailwater capture systems and sediment basins for produce farms throughout California. Negotiations are underway to include sites in Florida and possibly New York. We and the NRCS are actively enrolling farms that have sediment basins, tailwater recovery systems, and water and sediment control basins (WASCB). Please click on the attached brochure if you are interested in participating on the project and we would be happy to talk to you about the project.
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Outstanding Achievement Award
The Society for Range Management has bestowed Outstanding Achievement Awards upon Cooperative Extension Specialists Rob Atwill and Ken Tate, international leaders in the science and management of surface water quality of rangelands. More info and a photo here.
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Rob Atwill (right) demonstrates a water quality project in a test plot
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Publications
Gorski, L., C.T. Parker, A. Liang, M.B. Cooley, M.T. Jay-Russell, A.G. Gordus, E.R. Atwill, and R.E. Mandrell. 2011. Prevalence, distribution and diversity of Salmonella enterica in a major produce region of California. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. Published online ahead of print on 4 March.
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Upcoming Events:
Advanced Topics in Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce Workshops
April 27-29, 2011
Wimauma, FL
This course was presented in Davis in early March and is described above.
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February 1, 2011
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New Research Project Funded
The National Cattlemens’ Beef Association has recently funded Rob Atwill and Xunde Li a $200,000 project entitled “Strategies to reduce super-shedding and the bioburden of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlots”. The objectives of this project are 1) to determine the rate of occurrence and identify host, pathogen, and management risk factors associated for cattle shedding normal levels compared to cattle shedding high levels (super-shedder) of E. coli O157:H7 and 2) to determine if super-shedder cattle are the result of being infected with specific and unique strains of E. coli O157:H7 that cause super-shedder infections, or alternatively, super-shedder infections are only the result of ingesting a high dose compared to a low dose of E. coli O157:H7 regardless of bacterial strain or some other host factor (diet, etc.).
Concerns have been increasing by the beef industry regarding the super-shedding of E. coli O157:H7 and bioburden in feedlot steers which may significantly increase the potential of beef contamination by E. coli O157:H7. Outcomes of the project will help to develop strategies and Good Agricultural Practices to reduce super-shedding and the bioburden of E. coli O157:H7 in feedlots, and thus improve the microbial safety of beef products by reducing contamination.
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Request for Participants in New Central Coast Study
“Co-management of food safety risks and riparian/wetland habitats for Central Coast California Agriculture”
For over four years, our research team at UC Davis and the USDA ARS Western Regional Research Center has been studying sources of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, and how these bacteria move within the central California coast agricultural landscape. The Western Center for Food Safety was recently funded by CPS and FDA CFSAN to examine the potential food safety hazards associated with common amphibian and reptile species from riparian/wetland habitats in central coast California. These animals were not tested during the earlier studies, and thus represent a gap in our knowledge about wildlife sources of foodborne pathogens in the central coast.
We Need Your Help
All funding and wildlife collection permits are in place to move forward. All we need is your voluntary permission to allow us to quietly and confidentially collect samples at least twice through the end of the year (December 2011). The study is open to produce growers, ranchers, conservationists, and any other stakeholders interested in co-management in three central coast counties (Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz). We are looking for properties with natural or man-made ponds and riparian/wetland habitat. All information relating to private properties (location, owner, etc.) is kept confidential by using confidential codes that cannot be linked to the laboratory results.
To sign-up for the study or for more information, please contact Michele Jay-Russell at (530) 757-5756 or mjay@ucdavis.edu. More details on the study can be found here.
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Left to Right: Yingjia Liu and Kristine L. Fernandez performing a spike trial on a red-eared turtle for Salmonella and E.coli O157:H7 detection.
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Imperial County UC Cooperative Extension
January 24, 2011
Holtville, CA
Bruce Hoar and Rob Atwill met with various sheep ranchers and Donna Henderson of Imperial Valley UC Cooperative Extension to plan this season's field work for a CPS-funded project on fecal pathogens and airborne transport of these microbial hazards from sheep grazing operations in Imperial Valley. These livestock owners have been excellent collaborators and very supportive of the research to safeguard produce food safety. We also appreciate all the help that Henderson is providing the project. More information may be found here.
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Imperial Valley sheep.
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Better Process Control School
February 15-18, 2011
Davis, CA
Linda Harris presented three lectures in the UC Davis Cooperative Extension four-day Better Process Control School (BPCS) on microbiology, acidified foods, and sanitation. The BPCS was established primarily for operating supervisors, the individual who is in the plant at the time a canned food product is packed and processed. The school is particularly intended for operating supervisors involved in production of thermally processed low acid and acidified foods. More information is available here. The Better Process Control School is also offered on-line.
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The Society for Range Management
February 9, 2011
Billings, MT
Rob Atwill and Ken Tate received an Outstanding Achievement Award - Research/Academia from The Society for Range Management. This award was given for their 15 years of active scientific collaboration on identifying risk factors and good agricultural practices for waterborne pathogens in agricultural watersheds. It was a bit cold on that day in Billings.
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Dried Fruit and Nut Association Meeting
February 16, 2011
Monterey, CA
Linda Harris attended the annual meeting of DFA where the afternoon program was on food safety.
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Townhall Meeting
Sonora, CA
Rob Atwill and Ken Tate, along with staff from the Tuolumne Utility District, Tuolumne Cattlemen's Association, and Scott Oneto at Cooperative Extension Tuolumne County, conducted an evening seminar and town hall meeting for the community of Sonora, CA, regarding an upcoming large waterborne pathogen study in six National Forests this summer. This project is being funded by the US Forest Service in an effort to resolve community concerns regarding the impact of cattle grazing on waterborne pathogens in Sierra Nevada rivers and streams.
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Robert Mondavi Institute
February 8, 2011
Davis, CA
Linda Harris hosted about 30 Master Food Preservers (volunteers from El Dorado and Sacramento counties) on a tour of the RMI complexes as well as giving an overview of her research. Master Food Preservers are trained volunteers who are certified to provide up-to-date information on safe food handling and the prevention of foodborne illness. They conduct monthly public workshops on safely preserving food at home and answer phone inquiries about food safety.
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Jay-Russell Gives Guest Lecture at Stanford School of Medicine
January 28, 2011
Stanford, CA
Scott Smith, MD invited WCFS’ Michele Jay-Russell to lecture in his course, “Parasites and Pestilence,” at Stanford University. She lectured on foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigations in the US, and presented highlights from current studies at UC Davis in the epidemiology and ecology of foodborne pathogens. Information on career paths in public health and food safety was also shared with students. Jay-Russell originally met Smith during a leptospirosis investigation in 2003 while working for the California Department of Public Health. The study was published in Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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Jay-Russell speaking to students at Stanford University.
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January 1, 20112010 Top 10 Accomplishments
- Celebration of the WCFS’ third anniversary as an FDA CFSAN academic Center of Excellence and website launch
- Multiple ongoing and new research awards and collaborations with the Center for Produce Safety
- Numerous professional presentations, workshops and trainings for industry, food safety colleagues, and international delegations
- WIFSS successfully re-certified the six course curriculum WIFSS Agroterrorism Preparedness Curriculum for Frontline Responders
- Completion of nine state FDA All-Hazard Food-Feed Rapid Response Team (RRT) assessments
- Leadership in multidisciplinary research and outreach to address co-management of food safety, wildlife and the environment
- Extensive outreach and training in the care and welfare of dairy animal
- Providing CNN and other media scientific expertise following the massive egg recall due toSalmonella Enteritidis
- Professional recognition including receipt of the 2010 IAFP Frozen Food Foundation Freezing Research Award (Linda Harris)
- Publications in Journal of Food Protection, Journal of Food Science, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Journal of Environmental Quality, American Journal of Veterinary Research, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and the 2010 Proceedings of the American Society for Microbiology
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WIFSS Joins FDA, CDC and CDFA in Providing Raw Milk Safety Analysis
Humboldt County is one of only three California counties which prohibit the sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk for human consumption. Last summer the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors was petitioned by consumers and health food store owners to revoke its sales ban. County public health staff sought analysis of the submitted raw milk health and safety claims from the federal Food and Drug Administration, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security. UC educators and investigators are frequently asked by regulatory agencies and legislators to provide background and context on complex scientific issues, with the understanding that such opinions do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the University. In January the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 5 to 0 to maintain the current ban, with the caveat that the issue could be reopened as new information became available.
Available on the internet:
For more information contact Michael Payne.
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Microbial Challenge Testing for Foods Workshop
April 7-8, 2011
Rosemont, IL
This workshop was offered in August 2010 at the IAFP annual meeting as a preconference event, and will be repeated for the food industry in response to member interest. Presenters include Linda Harris, Don Schaffner, and Kathy Glass. Because of the many questions raised by regulatory and industry professionals about the appropriate use of challenge studies, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) was asked to provide guidance on the topic of challenge studies and their use. This workshop will present the NACMCF report and instructors will guide the students though use of the material in the report to develop actual challenge study protocols based on NACMCF recommendations. Registration will be open by February 1, 2011, and will be limited to the first 35 attendees. The NACMCF report may be found here.
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Advanced Topics in Microbial Safety of Fresh Produce Workshops
March 1-3, 2011, Davis, CA
April 27-29, 2011, Wimauma, FL
This course is presented under the sponsorship of the USDA Specialty Crops Project Increasing Consumption of Specialty Crops by Enhancing their Quality & Safety. Topics include an introduction to Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, science basis for GAP and GHP standards and metrics, and consideration and conflicts in pathogen testing. Instructors include Trevor Suslow and Linda Harris from UC Davis and Michelle Danyluk and Keith Schneider from the University of Florida. More information about the course and registration information may be found here.
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October 15, 2010Dr. Atwill leads three NRCS projects to clarify the microbial safety regarding sediment basins, stacked dairy manure solids, and algae mats.
Various concerns have been raised by the agricultural community regarding the potential microbiological safety of sediment basins for improving water quality or the use of stacked manure solids as a soil amendment in produce production fields. In addition, algal mats that persist throughout summer in either pre-irrigation ponds, irrigation canals, or nearby streams may provide a protected site for bacterial pathogens to persist in the produce production environment.
To address these concerns, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA, has funded three projects entitled, “Evaluation of sediment basins for their impact on microbial food safety”, “Evaluation of the microbiological safety of stacked dried dairy manure as a soil amendment for produce production fields”, and “Evaluation of algal mats and algal biofilms as a reservoir of E. coli O157:H7”. These projects will help to develop Good Agricultural Practices to reduce bacterial pathogens in the produce production environment.
Drs. Michael Payne and Xunde Li, both at WIFSS, and David Lewis, Watershed Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension at Marin County, California, will function as key collaborators on several of the projects.
September 21, 2010Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director of the Center for Produce Safety, announced the award of 17 new research grants during a meeting of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. Awardees included Michele Jay-Russell, for a project entitled Evaluation of amphibians and reptiles as potential reservoirs of foodborne pathogens and risk reduction to protect fresh produce and the environment and Linda Harris for a project entitled Influence of the pre-harvest environment on the physiological state of Salmonella and its impact on increased survival capability. More information may be found in the press release here
September 15, 2010Does cattle grazing in the High Sierra affect water purity? If so, under what conditions and what can we do about it? Answers to those questions and more are the focus of a study under way by UC Davis, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies. Results from the study should help keep water in national forests safe for diverse public uses such as camping, fishing, swimming and more. "Our goal is to evaluate the scope of the problem and come up with real solutions for how to fix it," said UC Davis Cooperative Extension watershed specialist Ken Tate, the study's principal investigator. His co-investigator is UC Davis Cooperative Extension specialist Rob Atwill, Director of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security. |
