Industry practices and compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines among California sprout firms.

摘要: Since 1995, raw vegetable sprouts have been implicated as the vehicle of infection in 15 foodborne outbreaks involving Salmonella and 2 Escherichia coli O157:H7. To reduce numbers sprout-related outbreaks, U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) published Guidance for Industry: Reducing Microhial Safety Hazards Sprouting Seeds 1999. Between October 2000 April 2001, 61.5% (16 26) known commercial sprout firms California were enrolled a survey to evaluate industry practices sprouting operations determine compliance with FDA guidelines. A standardized questionnaire was used collect data on firm demographics seed disinfection practices. Additionally, free chlorine levels solutions measured, 48-h spent irrigation water samples collected from each firm. The screened E. O157:H7 FDA-recommended test kits. Free treatment ranged 50 35,000 mg/liter (ppm), median 14,000 (ppm). higher producing alfalfa than those only mung bean or soybean (P = 0.03). Levels tended be using calcium hypochlorite solution sodium 0.067). All 32 tested negative. Of O157:H7, 75% (24 32) negative, 25% (8 presumptive positive. eight positive found negative after further testing. These results indicate that producers are generally achieving level 20,000 whereas not.