Project looks at pathogen risks, sanitation for CEA

Ana Allende, Ph.D., with the CEBAS-CSIC in Spain, is leading a project to fill the void and provide the industry with science-based information on which they can develop risk-reduction and sanitation programs.

“This project should bring some new data never before provided,” Allende said. “It has a focus on analysis of the risk factors and sampling points. It will give information on how the industry should move on testing, understanding the results, and in case it’s needed, control measures.”

Although Allende and her team are conducting the research with three collaborating facilities in Spain, she said the resulting data and recommendations should be applicable to other sites in Europe and the U.S. Their work also is focused on leafy greens but the information could be relevant to other crops, such as peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, grown in protected environments.

Joining her in the project titled “Occurrence and transfer of pathogens from the production environment to leafy greens grown in controlled environment agriculture” are co-principal investigators Mabel Gil, Ph.D., and Pilar Truchado, Ph.D., both with the CEBAS-CSIC.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Little research has been conducted into potential pathogen risks and sanitation practices for controlled environment agriculture.
• CEA involves growing crops hydroponically, in artificial substrates or in soil under protective structures, such as high tunnels, greenhouses or vertical farms.

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