Study Identifies Potential Food Safety Improvements for Romaine Lettuce

Researchers at Cornell University published results of a study on lowering the potential for E. coli contamination in romaine lettuce in Scientific Reports. The study revealed that overhead irrigation of lettuce with dirty water was one of the greatest sources of contamination. Either treating the water or switching to drip or furrow irrigation mitigated this risk. The research also showed that postharvest produce contamination can be a problem, stemming from inconsistent produce washing practices and from too warm of temperatures during transportation that allow bacteria to grow.
Related ATTRA video: Food Safety: A Farmer’s Perspective