Proponents of hydroponic and aquaponic systems suggest their growing methods would reduce or eliminate any risk of contamination. However, food safety concerns have been raised over vegetables and herbs grown in aquaponics and hydroponics systems. The concerns relate to the reuse of wastewater and spent nutrients. A Purdue University study has found the presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems. STEC was found in fish feces in the water of both aquaponics and hydroponics. It was also found on the surface of the roots of lettuce, basil, and tomato regardless of the system. Importantly, contaminated water did not lead to the internalization of STEC into the roots, leaves, and/or fruit of the plants. Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not present in any samples examined. Fish feces were considered the primary source of the pathogenic bacteria in the aquaponic system, possibly due to the introduction of contaminated fish. @ https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/6/1/1/htm
Food safety concerns have been raised over vegetables and herbs grown in aquaponics and hydroponics due to the reuse of wastewater and spent nutrient solutions. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of foodborne pathogens in greenhouse-based aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Fish feces, recirculating water, roots, and the edible portions of lettuce, basil, and tomato were collected at harvest, and microbiological analyses were conducted for the bacterial pathogens Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Enrichments and selective media were used for the isolation, and presumptive positive colonies were confirmed by PCR. STEC was found in fish feces, in the water of both systems, and on the surface of the roots of lettuce, basil, and tomato regardless of the system. However, contaminated water did not lead to the internalization of STEC into the roots, leaves, and/or fruit of the plants. Meanwhile, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not present in any samples examined. Our results demonstrated that there are potential food safety hazards for fresh produce grown in aquaponic and hydroponic production systems.
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Restaurants and school feedings are closed, and consumer habits are changing. Supplies of raw milk greatly exceed retail demand due in large part to the collapse of sit-down dining at restaurants and the closure of schools. The demand for soup in the spring could have a ripple effect later this year, said Mike Duffy, CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers. Much of the industry’s focus right now is on ensuring the continuous supply of fresh meat, particularly after several plant closings. Workers at meat processing plants are especially at risk of contracting the coronavirus because they’re often positioned close to one another. In other types of food processing facilities, they tend to be more machine operators, so people are not in close proximity. In the poultry industry, a sickened workforce is threatening to create an imbalance between the number of chickens on the farm and the amount processed into meat for sale. Duffy said there’s generally sufficient food in the pipeline, but bare shelves will continue because it takes time for products to wind their way through to stores. @ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/meat-shortage-2020-coronavirus-has-led-smithfield-other-plants-to-close-farmers-to-dump-milk/ar-BB12JHyz?li=BBnb7Kz
Is Smithfield pork safe to eat? Why are meat plants shutting down? Here’s why shoppers are struggling to find chicken, meat and eggs amid COVID-19.
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Several more plants reported their first, or additional, employees testing positive for COVID-19. Alma Foods LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hormel, has closed its plant in Alma, Kans., until May 4 because one employee tested positive and additional employees had had contact with at individual outside of work. The company, which makes fully cooked meals and entrees, and the Saucy Blues barbeque line for foodservice. The plant employs about 100.
Lincoln Premium Poultry in Nebraska operates Costco Wholesale Corp.’s Fremont, Neb., chicken plant, acknowledged its second and third COVID-19 positives among the facility’s workforce. The plant continues to operate. JBS pork plant in Worthington, Minn., reported 19 cases of COVID-19. The plant employs about 2,000 and continues to operate. Smithfield’s Tar Heel, N.C., pork plant, the world’s largest, and the Tyson Fresh Meats’ Perry, Iowa and Dakota City, Neb., plants also reported cases of CONVID-19. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/91593
Meatingplace.com is the online community for North American beef, pork and poultry processors.
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According to the Metro Public Health Department for Nashville and Davidson County, about 90 workers at the Tyson Foods plant in Goodlettsville TN have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Tyson’s statement includes measures being taken for COVID-19 that include: Restricting visitor access to the facility; employees walk-through temperature scanners; acquiring personal protective equipment, face coverings for production workers and implementing interim protocols for homemade protective coverings; Increase distance between workers, install workstation dividers and barriers in break rooms and allow for more time between shifts to reduce worker interaction. Tents to break outside are also being erected. The company plans to sanitize the plant daily to ensure food safety. @ https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/5159479002
Tyson Foods issued a statement that says the company is working with the Metro health department.