Fresh Express to fund E. coli study
Fresh Express to fund E. coli study
SALINAS, CA -- Fresh Express, a leading producer of value-added salads in North America based here, announced Wednesday, Jan. 17 that it would provide up to $2 million to fund multidisciplinary research to help the fresh- cut produce industry prevent contamination by the deadly E. coli 0157:H7 pathogen.
Although no Fresh Express product has ever been implicated in an outbreak of food-borne illness, the company is funding research in recognition of the benefits it may achieve for both the industry and consumers alike. The company intends to share this research publicly in recognition of the benefits it may achieve for both the industry and consumers alike.
An independent scientific advisory panel comprised of six nationally recognized food-safety experts from both federal and state food safety- related agencies and academia has been meeting on a voluntary basis since May to develop research priorities related to the source, mode of action and life cycle of E. coli 0157:H7 and the pathogenic contamination of lettuce and leafy greens.
The panel is chaired by Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy at the University of Minnesota. In addition, the panel consists of Jeff Farrar of the California Department of Health Services, Bob Buchanan of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Robert Tauxe of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Bob Gravani of Cornell University and Craig Hedberg of the University of Minnesota.
Tanios Viviani, president of Fresh Express, said that the company's commitment is "to drive safety and consistency across the industry." The $2 million funding is in addition to research and development money the company spends every year, he said. Mr. Viviani said he sees the initial thrust of research to be a 12- to 24-month program.
My wish is that its not a one-time event, Mr. Viviani said.
According to Dr. Osterholm, the group evaluated the existing body of knowledge relating to E. coli 0157:H7 contamination in fresh produce and collaborated on the most critical research gaps in fresh produce contamination ranging from growing and harvesting to cooling, transporting, processing and packaging. The identified research priorities -- and those against which research proposals are being sought -- include determining the potential for E. coli O157:H7 to be internalized into lettuce or spinach; identifying new mitigation strategies and technologies to reduce the potential for E. coli O157:H7 to contaminate leafy green produce; conducting field studies to identify sources, vehicles and factors that affect the degree of contamination or extent of contamination of leafy green produce by E. coli O157:H7; determining the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to multiply in the presence of normal background flora following the harvest of produce such as lettuce or spinach; and determining the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to survive composting processes.
Funding is available immediately and all proposals will be reviewed against guidelines established independently by this scientific advisory panel.
To ensure the highest degree of integrity and value to each phase of the research initiative, the panel is empowered -- without restriction by Fresh Express -- to review proposals, make funding decisions and monitor and disseminate research results. Questions regarding proposal submission can be addressed to Dr. Osterholm at 612/626-6770 or at [email protected].
Although no Fresh Express product has ever been implicated in an outbreak of food-borne illness, the company is funding research in recognition of the benefits it may achieve for both the industry and consumers alike. The company intends to share this research publicly in recognition of the benefits it may achieve for both the industry and consumers alike.
An independent scientific advisory panel comprised of six nationally recognized food-safety experts from both federal and state food safety- related agencies and academia has been meeting on a voluntary basis since May to develop research priorities related to the source, mode of action and life cycle of E. coli 0157:H7 and the pathogenic contamination of lettuce and leafy greens.
The panel is chaired by Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy at the University of Minnesota. In addition, the panel consists of Jeff Farrar of the California Department of Health Services, Bob Buchanan of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Robert Tauxe of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Bob Gravani of Cornell University and Craig Hedberg of the University of Minnesota.
Tanios Viviani, president of Fresh Express, said that the company's commitment is "to drive safety and consistency across the industry." The $2 million funding is in addition to research and development money the company spends every year, he said. Mr. Viviani said he sees the initial thrust of research to be a 12- to 24-month program.
My wish is that its not a one-time event, Mr. Viviani said.
According to Dr. Osterholm, the group evaluated the existing body of knowledge relating to E. coli 0157:H7 contamination in fresh produce and collaborated on the most critical research gaps in fresh produce contamination ranging from growing and harvesting to cooling, transporting, processing and packaging. The identified research priorities -- and those against which research proposals are being sought -- include determining the potential for E. coli O157:H7 to be internalized into lettuce or spinach; identifying new mitigation strategies and technologies to reduce the potential for E. coli O157:H7 to contaminate leafy green produce; conducting field studies to identify sources, vehicles and factors that affect the degree of contamination or extent of contamination of leafy green produce by E. coli O157:H7; determining the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to multiply in the presence of normal background flora following the harvest of produce such as lettuce or spinach; and determining the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to survive composting processes.
Funding is available immediately and all proposals will be reviewed against guidelines established independently by this scientific advisory panel.
To ensure the highest degree of integrity and value to each phase of the research initiative, the panel is empowered -- without restriction by Fresh Express -- to review proposals, make funding decisions and monitor and disseminate research results. Questions regarding proposal submission can be addressed to Dr. Osterholm at 612/626-6770 or at [email protected].
