CPS launches $3.3 million in research projects to tackle critical food safety issues

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is launching 14 new research projects totaling more than $3.3 million to address critical food safety challenges in the fresh produce industry.

The projects, which are set to begin in January 2025, are led by investigators from eight states in the U.S. and Mexico. CPS’s latest research efforts focus on key issues such as flood setback distances, brush sanitation, and the coexistence of plants and animals, with a specific emphasis on pathogens like E. coli O157, Salmonella, Cyclospora and hepatitis A.

“These research initiatives were made possible by the generosity of industry contributors to CPS’s Campaign for Research and grants from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Programs in California, Florida, Texas, and Washington. Their support is essential for CPS to continue funding science, finding solutions, and driving change in produce safety,” said Joe Pezzini, chair of CPS’s board of directors and senior director of agricultural operations for Taylor Farms.

The projects were selected through CPS’s annual call for research proposals, which addresses the most pressing scientific needs in the produce industry. To ensure the research aligns with industry priorities, proposals were carefully reviewed and refined by CPS’s Technical Committee and other experts. The projects are expected to be completed within one to two years, and findings will be shared with the industry through CPS’s annual Research Symposium and other channels.

One project, led by Abby Snyder, Ph.D., from Cornell University, aims to better understand the factors that support Salmonella growth in onions. “We hope these findings provide scientific evidence to support the industry in identifying factors that contribute to risk,” said Snyder.

Lee-Ann Jaykus, Ph.D., Emerita from North Carolina State University, is leading another project focused on developing an infectious hepatitis A virus screening assay. “We will be working with our berry industry collaborators to design a more relevant method that allows for understanding of the true public health risk of positive results,” said Jaykus.

The research spans a wide range of topics, from improving sanitation methods to developing new tools for pathogen detection. The outcomes of these projects are expected to have significant implications across the fresh produce supply chain, contributing to enhanced food safety protocols and practices.

Grant Recipients: 

Chetan Badgujar, Ph.D., University of Tennessee

• Developing an automated and digital tool for integrated bird pest management in fresh produce fields 

Teresa M. Bergholz, Ph.D., Michigan State University

• Genomic and phenotypic assessment of E. coli O157:H7 REPEXH02 strains

Aaron Bivins, Ph.D., Louisiana State University

• Hydrogel affinity particles to enable high throughput screening of soft fruits for intact HAV virions

Kerry Cooper, Ph.D., University of Arizona

• How does weather influence transmission of E. coli O157:H7 from animal operations to produce fields? 

Govindaraj Dev Kumar, Ph.D., University of Georgia

• Color and material optimization of brushes for improved light-based sanitation

Lee-Ann Jaykus, Ph.D., Emerita, North Carolina State University

• Development of a screening assay for hepatitis A virus which correlates to infectivity 

Asis Khan, Ph.D., USDA-ARS

• An immunomagnetic separation method for concentrating and increasing the recovery efficiency of Cyclospora

Scott Lenaghan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee

• Validation of novel DNA isolation procedures from limited numbers of Cyclospora oocysts 

Channah Rock, Ph.D., University of Arizona

• Methods for determining groundwater under the influence of surface water, and BMPs for mitigating distribution system contamination 

Jose Santos Garcia Alvarado, Ph.D., Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon

• Two validated first-level screening assays for infectious hepatitis A virus by detection of an intact capsid on frozen berries

Abby Snyder, Ph.D., Cornell University

• Salmonella risk is enhanced by onion condition or defect

Abby Snyder, Ph.D., Cornell University

• Solutions to brush sanitation tailored to the producer’s appetite for capital investment and labor intensity 

Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., Cornell University

• Agent-based models can predict appropriate risk-based setback distances for flooded fields 

Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., Cornell University

• Quantitative microbial risk assessments need to consider quality parameters to accurately predict produce food safety risks

For more information on CPS’s research initiatives and a full list of funded projects, visit their website at www.centerforproducesafety.org.

About CPS: The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing the produce industry and government with open access to actionable information aimed at enhancing the safety of fresh produce.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/09/cps-launches-3-3-million-in-research-projects-to-tackle-critical-food-safety-issues/