scholarly journals Evaluating the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule Standard for Microbial Quality of Agricultural Water for Growing Produce

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 1832-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arie H. Havelaar ◽  
Kathleen M. Vazquez ◽  
Zeynal Topalcengiz ◽  
Rafael Muñoz-Carpena ◽  
MICHELLE D. DANYLUK

ABSTRACT The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has defined standards for the microbial quality of agricultural surface water used for irrigation. According to the FDA produce safety rule (PSR), a microbial water quality profile requires analysis of a minimum of 20 samples for Escherichia coli over 2 to 4 years. The geometric mean (GM) level of E. coli should not exceed 126 CFU/100 mL, and the statistical threshold value (STV) should not exceed 410 CFU/100 mL. The water quality profile should be updated by analysis of a minimum of five samples per year. We used an extensive set of data on levels of E. coli and other fecal indicator organisms, the presence or absence of Salmonella, and physicochemical parameters in six agricultural irrigation ponds in West Central Florida to evaluate the empirical and theoretical basis of this PSR. We found highly variable log-transformed E. coli levels, with standard deviations exceeding those assumed in the PSR by up to threefold. Lognormal distributions provided an acceptable fit to the data in most cases but may underestimate extreme levels. Replacing censored data with the detection limit of the microbial tests underestimated the true variability, leading to biased estimates of GM and STV. Maximum likelihood estimation using truncated lognormal distributions is recommended. Twenty samples are not sufficient to characterize the bacteriological quality of irrigation ponds, and a rolling data set of five samples per year used to update GM and STV values results in highly uncertain results and delays in detecting a shift in water quality. In these ponds, E. coli was an adequate predictor of the presence of Salmonella in 150-mL samples, and turbidity was a second significant variable. The variability in levels of E. coli in agricultural water was higher than that anticipated when the PSR was finalized, and more detailed information based on mechanistic modeling is necessary to develop targeted risk management strategies.

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 1661-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA N. TRUITT ◽  
KATHLEEN M. VAZQUEZ ◽  
RACHEL C. PFUNTNER ◽  
STEVEN L. RIDEOUT ◽  
ARIE H. HAVELAAR ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Several produce-borne outbreaks have been associated with the use of contaminated water during preharvest applications. Salmonella has been implicated in a number of these outbreaks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of agricultural surface water used in preharvest production on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule water standards. The study also examined the prevalence, concentration, and diversity of Salmonella in those water sources. Water samples (1 L) from 20 agricultural ponds were collected during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons (n = 400). Total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli were enumerated for each sample. Population levels of each microorganism were calculated per 100-mL sample and log transformed, when necessary. Samples (250 mL) were also enriched for Salmonella. Presumptive Salmonella isolates were confirmed by PCR (invA gene) and were serotyped. In 2016, the concentration of Salmonella in each sample was also estimated by most probable number (MPN). Indicator bacteria and environmental and meteorological factors were analyzed for their association with the detection of a Salmonella-positive water sample by using logistic regression analysis. Seventeen of the 20 ponds met the Food Safety Modernization Act's Produce Safety Rule standards for production agricultural water. Three ponds did not meet the standards because the statistical threshold value exceeded the limit. Salmonella was detected in 19% of water samples in each year (38 of 200 in 2015 and 38 of 200 in 2016). Of the 118 Salmonella isolates serotyped, 14 serotypes were identified with the most prevalent being Salmonella Newport. E. coli concentration, farm, and total aerobic bacteria concentration were significantly associated with the likelihood of detecting a Salmonella-positive sample The average concentration of Salmonella in all samples was 4.44 MPN/100 mL, with the limit of detection being 3.00 MPN/100 mL. The highest concentration of Salmonella was 93.0 MPN/100 mL. These data will assist in a better understanding of the risks that production water poses to produce contamination events.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2020
Author(s):  
Manreet Singh Bhullar ◽  
Angela Shaw ◽  
Joseph Hannan ◽  
Smaranda Andrews

Agricultural water is a known vector for the transfer of foodborne pathogens onto fresh produce. Development of pre-harvest and post-harvest microbial profiles of agricultural water used by fresh produce growers, processors, and holdings is a requirement under the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. One of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) approved agricultural water testing methods is US EPA Method 1603, which requires no greater than a 6-h time frame between the collection of the water sample and initiation of analysis. This 6-h timeframe is unrealistic for many produce growers due to there being few laboratories certified to conduct testing and the geographic location of the farms. Agricultural water samples (n = 101) from well water and surface water were collected from 60 different farms to determine if holding samples for 24 h yielded significantly more generic Escherichia coli (E.coli) than 6 h using EPA 1603 method. A total of 32 samples were found contaminated with generic E. coli. Of these positive samples, surface water accounted for 87.5% of the samples (n = 28). There was no significant disparity between populations of generic E. coli at 6- and 24-h sample-test time interval (p > 0.05). These results provide evidence that the sample-test time interval can be extended to 24-h time, which makes quantitative generic E. coli testing for agricultural water as mandated by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule more accessible to growers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-119
Author(s):  
Lela Uyara ◽  
Pieter Kunu ◽  
Silwanus M Talakua

The study aims to determine the quality of clean water in the villages of Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu and Halong by comparing the result of water quality analysis with water quality standard. Water quality analysis includes Physiscal, Chemical, and Microbiological parameters. This research uses descriptive method, this method describes systematics, accurate about facts and characteristic of the quality of clean water of each research location. The results showed that the source of clean water in the village of Batumerah did not meet the standard of clean water quality standards indicated by the number of E. coli and the high total coliform.  Keywords: standard quality of clean water, water quality, Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu and Halong villages   ABSTRAK Penelitian yang bertujuan untuk menetapkan kualitas air bersih di Desa Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu dan Halong, dengan membandingkan hasil analisis kualitas air dengan standar baku mutu air bersih. Analisis kualitas air meliputi parameter fisika, kimia dan mikrobiologi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif; metode ini menggambarkan sicara sistematis, akurat, fakta dan karakteristik mengenai kualitas air bersih di masing-masing lokasi penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sumber air bersih di Desa Batumerah tidak memenuhi standar baku mutu air bersih yang ditunjukkan oleh jumlah E. coli dan total Koliform yang tinggi. Kata Kunci: baku mutu air bersih, Desa Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu dan Halong, kualitas air


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lerman ◽  
O. Lev ◽  
A. Adin ◽  
E. Katzenelson

The Israel Ministry of Health is now revising its regulations for the assurance of safe water quality in public swimming pools. Since it is not possible to monitor each of the pathogenic microorganisms, it is often recommended to monitor indicator bacteria which provide indirect information on the water quality in the swimming pool. Three indicator microorganisms are often recommended: coliform counts (total coliforms, fecal coliforms or E. Coli), staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. A four year survey of the water quality of swimming pools in the Jerusalem District was conducted in order to determine whether the monitoring of all three indicators is necessary to assure safe water quality or is it sufficient to monitor only a single microorganism. A statistical analysis, conducted by using several different statistical techniques, reveals that the populations of the three indicator organisms are significantly interdependent but the correlations between each pair of these indicators are not sufficient to base a prediction of any of the organisms based on the measurements of the others. Therefore, it is concluded that monitoring of all three indicators should be recommended in order to provide an adequate picture of the water quality in swimming pools.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-482
Author(s):  
Razieh VALIASILL ◽  
Majid AZIZI ◽  
Maasome BAHREINI ◽  
Hossein AROUIE

Medicinal plants may be exposed to a wide range of microbial contamination during pre- and post- harvest stages and they can present high microbial counts. In this study, the microbial quality of 44 samples of dry herbs namely: mint (Menthaspp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), summer savory (Satureja hortensis), zataria (Zataria multiflora), Indian valerian (Valeriana wallichii), their brewing and extracts were analyzed. Total count using plate count agar medium (PCA), coliform count by Violet Red Bile Agar (VRBL), Enterobacteriacea by Violet Red Bile Glucose (VRBG) were evaluated. Medium Baird-Parker agar (BP) medium and Tryptone Bile X-Gluc (TBX) medium were used for the isolation and enumeration of Staphylococcus aurous and E. coli spp. respectively. Furthermore, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar medium (XLD) and Bismuth Sulfite Agar medium(BSA) were used for detection of Salmonella spp. Fungal and mold contamination was assessed using yeast extract glucose chloramphenicol agar. The results showed that the contamination of the samples with total count (100%) and Enterobacteriaceae (85%), total coliform (83%), mold and yeast (98%) and E. coli ssp. (2.27) were detected, including in the study samples the absence of pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aurous, Salmonella spp. Moreover, the extract had a lower microbial load in comparison to dry herb samples. Also, the lowest and the highest of contamination rates were observed for Indian valerian and zataria, respectively. According to the results, there is a need to control the environmental conditions and improve hygiene in the production process; even more, it is recommended to choose a suitable decontamination method for disinfection during packing medicinal plants and during post-packing manipulation and transport.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Kyayesimira ◽  
Wangalwa Rapheal ◽  
Grace Kagoro Rugunda ◽  
Lejju Julius Bunny ◽  
Morgan Andama ◽  
...  

Abstract Background If hygiene practices along the beef processing nodes at small and medium enterprise (SME) slaughter houses and butcheries are not observed, they may pose a health risk due to microbial contamination. In SME slaughterhouses and butcheries, the risk may be higher due to transmission of foodborne pathogens. This study determined the hygienic practices and microbial quality risk among meat handlers (MH) in SME slaughterhouses and butcheries. Methods Assessment of microbiological quality of beef was carried out at slaughter houses and butcher shops in the districts of Western, Central and Eastern regions of Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2017 to January 2018 using observation checklists to record unhygienic practices among the various actors. Microbial load at slaughter and butchery was determined from a total of 317 swab samples collected from carcass, tools, protective clothing and hands of meat handlers. The microbiological quality of beef was evaluated using standard microbiological methods. The samples were inoculated into differential and selective media. Results Butcheries had the highest microbial load on beef carcass ranging from 4.76 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 7.90 log 10 cfu/cm 2 Total Viable Counts (TVC) while Total Coliform Counts (TCC) ranged from 1.42 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 3.05 log 10 cfu/cm 2 , E. coli ranged from 0.68 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 1.06 log 10 cfu/cm 2 and Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 3.25 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 4.84 log 10 cfu/cm 2 . Salmonella was absent in all the samples analysed. Results of overall microbial quality of beef in Uganda indicated that only TCC (1.60±0.26 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) of the beef carcass samples at slaughter houses was not significantly above the safe level (p = 0.693). Overall microbial load (TVC, TCC, E. coli and S. aureus ) at butcheries were significantly (p < 0.05) above the safe level. Butcheries of Mbale district had the highest percentage (70%) of beef carcass samples above the TCC safe levels whereas butcheries of Mbarara district had the highest percentage (40%) of beef carcass samples above the E. coli safe levels. TVC from hands and clothes at butchery across the three study districts varied significantly (p=0.007) with the highest counts (7.23 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) recorded from personnel clothes and lowest (5.46 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) recorded from hands. On the other hand, swab samples picked from chopping board and working table at the butchery did not show significant variation in TVC, TCC, E. coli and S. aureus microbial loads across the three study districts. Conclusion Hygienic handling of carcasses after slaughter is critical in preventing contamination and ensuring meat safety in informal meat trading sectors in Uganda. Handling practices of beef at Ugandan slaughterhouses and butcheries are not hygienic hence not up to standard and they contribute to microbial contamination of beef posing a risk to consumers. The distribution stage is the most critical period, during which the quality of meat can easily be compromised.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Juliana Nazareth de Lana ◽  
Márcio de Oliveira ◽  
Vanessa Romario de Paula ◽  
Cézar Henrique Barra Rocha

Changes in the land use and land cover in areas adjacent to water reservoirs directly affect the quality of this water. This research presents a study on the water quality in the basin of one of the most important public water supply reservoirs in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais. The main objective of this study was to analyze the behavior of limnological parameters and the correlation with land use and land cover in the contribution basin of the Doutor Jo&atilde;o Penido reservoir (CBJPR). The methodology was based on the analysis of water quality parameters, related to water samples collected from 2012 to 2015. Six sampling points were chosen from different locations: spring, medium course, main tributaries of the reservoir and the reservoir catchment. The parameters analyzed were turbidity, total solids (TS), oxygen consumed (OC), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), E. Coli, temperature, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS). The Kendall&rsquo;s tau test was used to analyze the correlations between the parameters of water quality, land use and land cover in the CBJPR. In general, measured parameters showed better results in spring and in reservoir catchment, showing a worse quality of the water along the tributaries and the dilution power of the reservoir. The correlations pointed to the need for protection and preservation of forests in strategic locations to ensure good water quality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4RASM) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Babitha Rani ◽  
Dimple Bahri ◽  
Prabin Neupane ◽  
Kunal Kothari ◽  
Vishal Gadgihalli ◽  
...  

A study was carried out to find out the water quality ofByramangala lake of Ramanagara district. The water quality of Byramangala lake water and ground water from bore wells situated in the area within 600 meters surrounding the lake was analyzed. The quality analysis of various parameters such as BODs, COD, DO, E-Coli, and pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids and Total Hardness were tested. In addition, the presence of metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), and Iron (Fe) in the lake water and ground water samples were tested. Results for the various tests conducted showed similar trends for both lake water and ground water. It was observed that certain parameters such as BOD5, and COD were beyond permissible limits as per the BIS standards for drinking water. A few remedial measures have been proposed that may help in mitigating the pollution in the selected project area Byramangala Lake.


Author(s):  
Dhisney Gonçalves de Oliveira ◽  
Reinaldo Romero Vargas ◽  
Antonio Roberto Saad ◽  
Regina De Oliveira Moraes Arruda ◽  
Fabrício Bau Dalmas ◽  
...  

The urbanization process through which large urban centers have been passing has drastically affected the availability and especially the quality of water. The Cachoeirinha Invernada Watershed (CIW), located in the municipality of Guarulhos (State of São Paulo, Brazil), includes areas with different land use classes. This paper aims to correlate the spatial and temporal effects of land use and land cover on the water quality of the Cachoeirinha Invernada Watershed. In a period of 12 months and at six sampling points along the watershed, the physicochemical parameters temperature (T), pH, turbidity (TU), total solids (TS), electrical conductivity (EC), total phosphorus (TP), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), as well as microbiological analysis (E. coli) were measured. Water quality was assessed using a modified version (WQIM) of the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Trophic State Index (TSI). The areas surrounded by urban development presented a marked worsening in water quality, with the downstream point most affected and ranked as ‘POOR’. From the evaluated parameters, what contributed most to water quality degradation of the Cachoeirinha Invernada Watershed (CIW) was E. coli, followed by BOD, and TP, all parameters related to the presence of sewage in the water. The need for the construction of sewerage and waste treatment, protection and recovery of riparian forests, and environmental education regarding waste disposal are necessary to significantly improve the environmental quality of the Cachoeirinha Invernada Watershed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document