CONTROL OF FOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS IN PRE- AND POST-HARVEST ENVIRONMENTS

Use of predictive modeling and quantitative microbial risk assessment tools are gaining increased acceptance both by the food industry and by regulatory agencies. Despite this increased acceptance, the number of academic researchers actively involved in pioneering the use of these tools is very limited. Examples of the sort of problems currently under investigation in Dr Schaffner's lab include: modeling and assessing the risk posed by the growth of Salmonella in cut tomatoes; simulating the transmission and risk posed by norovirus in foodservice settings; assessing the risk of low levels of Salmonella in peanut butter; and modeling and assessing the risk E. coli O157:H7 in leafy greens from field to fork.