Location: Water Management and Conservation Research
Project Number: 2020-13000-005-002-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: May 14, 2019
End Date: Mar 30, 2021
Objective:
To understand the existence, relevance and persistence of bacterial enteric foodborne pathogens in the fresh produce production areas of the Yuma Valley AZ region.
Approach:
Design a sampling plan to collect environmental samples from the agricultural and surrounding areas of the Yuma Valley region of Arizona. Design should include sample type (e.g. soil, water, sediment, air, produce etc.), ecological compartment (e.g. agricultural crops not for human consumption, wildlife refuges, recreational areas etc.), number of samples to be collected, timing and frequency of collection, and sampling procedures to be used. Collect samples based on sampling plan. Analyze samples for specified bacterial foodborne pathogens. Items to consider include E. coli O157/Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Listeria ssp. and L. monocytogenes, and Campylobacter. Results should be reported on a regular basis (e.g. monthly).
