Project Number: 1935-41420-015-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 01, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
This research project addresses both pre-harvest and post-harvest issues; integration between the two areas will be accomplished through several post-harvest studies that will examine product contamination in the field. In addition, a risk assessment model will be developed that incorporates pathogen prevalence of product contaminated in the field or during unit process operations, as well as population changes associated with product distribution and intervention strategies.

Approach:
We will be collaborating in the development of predictive models for the behavior of E. coli 0157:H7, after internalization or surface contamination of leafy greens, in packaged products with temperature, storage time, package atmosphere, presence of antimicrobial agents, and initial population levels of pathogen and indigenous microflora as controlling factors.