Overview: North Dakota and the United States have seen an increased awareness of food safety issues. Food prepared in institutional or restaurant settings has the potential for large_scale outbreaks of foodborne illness.

Sclerotinia is a major disease of broadleaf crops in northeastern North Dakota. Due to the increased acreage of susceptible broadleaf crops, this particular disease is becoming a greater problem over larger areas. For example, in the fall of 1999 wet weather resulted in statewide problems with Sclerotinia head rot disease of sunflower causing losses reaching 60 to 70 percent in some areas. The National Sunflower Association estimated losses in 1999 alone at $1 million. Especially hard hit were confectionary sunflower producers who produce seeds for human consumption and bird feed. Sclerotinia tolerance levels are very low for confection seed producers and if sclerotia bodies or damage to the seeds exceeds 3 percent the field is rejected for human consumption. Producers in 1999 and 2000 were faced with the problem of what to do with highly contaminated confection sunflower seeds. Extension specialists worked with a group of farmers in north central North Dakota to determine if significant reductions in sclerotia contact could be obtained through harvest machine adjustments or in cleaning of the grain sample after harvest. Field studies in the fall determined that some techniques might reduce harvested sclerotia body content, but a more thorough cleaning with specialized equipment would be necessary to reduce sclerotia content, and to some degree dark seed content, in confection seeds. Information gathered in the study was ultimately compiled into an extension publication that was widely used in the fall of 2000 as this problem reoccurred. Additional information on the biology and management of Sclerotinia in sunflower and other susceptible crops was made available in 2001 via training sessions and via contributions to a CD_ROM provided to county and area agents for grower training.

Impact _ Producers in the north central region who stored sunflower seed following best harvest practices were able to clean the seed and many producers were able to market clean loads that sold for contracted price of 13 cents per pound versus 5 cents per pound for bird seed or confection market. Producers were trained on the biology and management of Sclerotinia for sunflower and other susceptible crops.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever

Scope of Impact: Statewide Extension. Sunflower is the fifth_largest seeded crop in North Dakota and the value of its production is greater than $20 million. The impact of this project affected producers throughout the north and east central parts of North Dakota as that is where the bulk of the confection sunflower seed is raised. The CD_ROM training provided by extension agents reached oilseed sunflower producers statewide.

Fusarium head blight (FHB or scab) is a major disease of spring wheat and durum wheats in North Dakota. An unprecedented epidemic of this disease occurred in eastern North Dakota in 1993, and severe outbreaks have occurred each year since 1993 throughout portions of the state, resulting in more than a $3 billion loss to North Dakota’s economy over this time. As a result of these epidemics, producers in eastern North Dakota have sought alternative broadleaf crops, resulting in fewer spring wheat acres. Much of the durum wheat production has moved west in the state, an area traditionally drier and less susceptible to FHB than the east. However, in 2000 and 2001, severe outbreaks of FHB occurred in north central, northwest and northeast North Dakota as a result of long periods of wet weather coinciding with the flowering period of the crops, conditions favorable for the disease. Yield losses in the region ranged from 10 to 90 percent and were especially severe in susceptible durum fields. Fungicide trials established in the affected regions indicated that proper timing of an appropriate fungicide resulted in yield increases of 10_12 bushels/acre and corresponding increases in test weight and market grade. Economic returns from use of the fungicides were between $33_$44/acre, because of increased yields and associated improved quality factors. Extension specialists provided this information on fungicide results to growers via numerous county and regional meetings, demonstrations, and news releases. The extension plant pathologist applied for a Section 18 emergency exemption for a specific fungicide with the best efficacy against the disease, and it was granted by EPA. The fungicide was applied to approximately 800,000 acres of wheat and an average net return of $35/acre was realized, after cost of fungicides, indirect and direct costs were subtracted from the gross return/acre.

Impact _ Producers utilized fungicides as a management strategy on 800,000 acres of wheat and realized an average return of $35/acre, resulting in an additional $28 million revenue to producers who used this strategy. Producers were provided training on proper use of the fungicide and how this strategy should be integrated with other management strategies for optimum control of FHB.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever

Scope of Impact: Statewide Extension. Wheat is the largest acreage crop in North Dakota and the value of production ranges from $500 million to $1 billion each year. The impact of this project affected producers throughout the regions of the state where Fusarium head blight occurred, and allowed producers a viable and economic option for helping control this potentially devastating disease _ getting yield and quality for their crop that could not be achieved without the use of the fungicide.

Key Theme _ Food Security: Biological Control

Natural enemies are an essential component of a sustainable farm ecosystems. A major research and extension effort involving the departments of entomology, plant science, and animal and range sciences is underway to manage leafy spurge, a key weed pest of rangelands, that causes losses valued at $23.2 million per year in North Dakota. Insect predators of spurge are being evaluated for impact and adaptability to local environments and are being redistributed to speed their establishment and effectiveness. Interaction of insect natural enemies of spurge with possible spurge biotypes is being studied. Grazing animals such as sheep and goats are being incorporated in a management program with insect natural enemies and limited pesticide use to sustain leafy spurge populations at sub_economic levels. Biocontrol programs using predators, parasites, and pathogens of insect pests such as banded sunflower moth, sunflower midge, sugar beet root maggot, and Colorado potato beetle are underway. Sclerotinia, a major limiting disease of most broad leaf crops in the area, is targeted for control by several parasitic fungi. Basic research on the biocontrol of soilborne diseases is being conducted to find new ways of combating serious root diseases of crops such as Rhizotonia and Fusarium root diseases cause substantial losses and are difficult to control. Transformation with carboxin resistance was accomplished for BNR. Two of the transformants showed biocontrol activity.

Impact _ Biological control of leafy spurge is expected to be valued at $58 million per year by 2025 by restoring thousands of acres of rangeland to productivity and by reducing herbicide costs. Once established, biological control of leafy spurge and other pests will provide self_sustaining control without further input cost to the grower.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever and Hatch

Scope of Impact: Multi_state Integrated Research and Extension. Growers in ND and the surrounding states benefit from the leafy spurge biological control program. Leafy spurge flea beetles are redistributed in ND, MN, WY, SD, NB and MT.

The identification of pest resistance genes, their characterization, and genetic nature are major goals for research programs of insect and disease pests of a number of crops. Sources of resistance to the sunflower midge are being sought in existing sunflower germplasm and varieties. Improved methods to screen for resistance and to characterize the functional nature of sunflower midge resistance are being made. Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused disastrous losses in small grains in the Dakotas and Minnesota between 1993 and 2000. Plant pathologists and breeders developed testing programs for FHB and tested thousands of lines in the field and greenhouse programs. The NDSU released variety Alsen combines FHB resistance with other traits to reduce losses from the disease. This should significantly reduce losses due to FHB. The potato breeding program has a major objective of developing cultivars with late blight resistance. Several selections have been identified with good resistance to the new genotypes present in the US. One objective of dry bean pathology is to identify new sources of resistance to rust and white mold for the bean breeding program and incorporate this resistance into new varieties. Incorporating disease resistance genes into soybean cultivars has major impact on improving soybean production and profitability for growers. Extensive research in this area is now producing soybean cultivars with disease resistance.

Impact _ Genetic crop resistance to pests provides growers with a simple pest management tactic that works under conditions unfavorable to natural enemies and pesticides. Genetic crop resistance eliminates or reduces the need for other pest management inputs and reduces grower expense. Genetic crop resistance saves growers management time because of reduced need for monitoring of pest populations. The economic impact of the FHB resistant wheats should result in millions of dollars saved over growing FHB susceptible cultivars. This will also save huge amounts in reduced fungicide sprays. Late blight resistance in commercial potato production could save millions in reduced spray applications and improved yields. Resistance to rust and white mold in dry beans would be elimination of two of the major problems in the dry bean industry. Incorporating disease resistance in soybean cultivars has had a major impact on improving soybean production especially in the area of root rot.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever and Hatch

Scope of Impact: Multi_state Integrated Research and Extension. Growers in the tri_state area of MN, ND, and SD and in Manitoba profit from resistance to pests in the major crops. Resistance to FHB alone is worth millions to cereal growers. In addition breeders and pathologists have added resistance to important pests in the minor crops. Resistance to late blight would prevent, or reduce losses in storage as in 1999 where an estimated 99 million dollars of harvested potatoes rotted.

Increases in daycare, hospital and nursing home populations as well as a growth in restaurant and deli businesses means a growing portion of the population is at risk from outbreaks of foodborne illness. In addition, quantity food preparation presents unique challenges for safe food handling and preparation. In this environment, government regulation is demanding more attention to the development of food safety practices. As a result there is high demand for training and educational materials in food safety. The National Restaurant Association estimates that a single outbreak of foodborne illness will cost a restaurant at least $75,000.

In the past six years, more than 1,500 food service managers and employees from restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers and schools in over 100 different North Dakota cities have attended NDSU Extension Service food safety workshops held through the state. The four_ to six_hour workshops focus on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach to food safety that was developed by NASA to ensure safe food for its astronauts.

Impact _ On the follow_up surveys, 99 percent rated food safety as something "very important" to them. About 74 percent reported telling other people about what they had learned, 65.9 percent reported they washed their hands more often when preparing food, 65 percent had shared the workshop materials with other people, 57 percent reported using food thermometers more often, and 43.5 percent had changed their cooling practices to use ice baths or smaller containers.

Despite widely publicized foodborne illness outbreaks associated with undercooking foods, particularly ground beef, only 6 percent of consumers "sometimes" or "always" measure the temperature of burgers with a food thermometer (USDA_FSIS). Research has shown that color of meat does not ensure that it has reached a safe internal temperature. The purposes of the "Thermy Project" were to develop culturally appropriate lessons, evaluation tools, posters and handouts based on the national "Thermy" campaign to promote use of food and refrigerator thermometers; to pilot test the materials on a reservation; and to increase the monitoring of final cooking temperatures and food storage temperatures among Native American families. Educational sessions were conducted and thermometers were distributed at commodity food distribution sites, senior centers, Head Start centers and in Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offices. Follow_up classes were conducted at least one month after the initial training and refrigerator thermometers were distributed. The materials were also used in statewide programming targeting limited income audiences through the EFNEP/FNP programs.

In the pilot project conducted on a reservation, about 96 percent of participants reported preparing meals at home for themselves or others at least one time per week, and 96 percent planned to use the food thermometer they received. About 82 percent of the participants identified eating undercooked ground beef as "not safe at all" on the pre_survey, and 96 percent, on the post_survey. About 62 percent reported using the food thermometers at least one time in the previous month, and 93 percent planned to use the refrigerator thermometer they received.

In the statewide programming targeting limited income audiences, 90 percent of the respondents to a follow_up survey indicated that using food thermometers can help prevent foodborne illnesses, and 72 percent of the participants reported using the food thermometer at least one time in the previous month. About 80 percent reported feeling "more confident" they were serving safe foods to their families when they used a food thermometer.

General food safety programming was conducted by the Family Nutrition Program, which targets limited income audiences with food safety information as well as information on improving nutritional practices, food security and stretching the food dollar. Follow_up surveys for the classes, displays and other methods used by the nutrition education assistants/agents have shown positive changes in food handling behavior. In follow_up surveys, 95.1 percent indicated they less often let food set out more than 2 hours, 98.4 percent indicated they washed their hands more often before touching food, 98.5 percent indicated they keep raw meat separate from other foods more often, and 98.9 percent indicated they cook meat and eggs thoroughly more often.

Source of federal funds: FNS, USDA, Food Stamp Program

Scope of Impact: Statewide Extension

Emerging pests can cause severe economic losses for growers if their potential impact is not anticipated and if controls are not available. New crop varieties, tillage and other farming methods, changing weather patterns, and federal programs influence production practices. In turn, these changes affect the pest insect and pathogen populations that are part of our agricultural ecosystem and can result in emerging pest problems. Although Lygus bugs have always been part of our agricultural landscape, historically their populations have been low and it is only in the last two years that they have become economically important. Changes in cropping practices are thought to have made the environment more favorable for Lygus bug populations to increase to the point where they are impacting sugar beet and sunflower, and possibly canola. Studies are underway to understand Lygus population dynamics, measure its impact per insect, and determine if Lygus will be a long_term problem. The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines, was found in eastern North Dakota during August and September of 2001. Extension and research programs are being organized to document the soybean aphid’s establishment, life history, management, and potential for host plant resistance. Projects are state and regional in scope. Over 700 wheat fields and 150 barley fields are surveyed for leaf and head diseases and insect problems. Every county was surveyed. Survey reports were summarized and provided information for the Crop and Pest Reports, which are widely distributed and discussed at several meetings. A new race of leaf rust was identified on commonly grown spring wheat varieties in the mid 1990s. This race increased and caused severe losses during the late 1990s. Producers abandoned the most susceptible varieties. Unfortunately, the abandoned varieties had some of the best levels of FHB resistance. A new variety with FHB and leaf rust resistance was released in 2000. This was the last potato growing area where the form of late blight, A2, was not found, so an extensive field and storage survey was established. A new mating A2 was found in the disease storage survey. Late blight of potato has been epidemic in North Dakota every year since 1992, partly because of the appearance of the new A2 mating types (US 8), which are more aggressive and resistant to the fungicide metalaxyl that previously controlled the disease. Potential new or invasive pests species include the cabbage pod weevil, cereal leaf beetle, star thistle, salt cedar, knapweed, toad flax, and purple loosestrife. These are being monitored for establishment and impact.

Impact _ Unexpected pest problems arising from emerging or new pests can result in severe economic impact for growers. Preventative pest management assesses potential problems and devises pest management solutions before the pests become economically important. Pest alerts and management solutions are provided so that growers can make educated decisions regarding their options. The economic impact of wheat leaf rust on scab tolerant cultivars was estimated at over $20 million. The release of the new rust and FHB resistant cultivar should alleviate much of this loss. An annual survey reports new diseases or insects and the severity of these pests. This information is widely used for management and spray decisions. The economic impact of the new A2 mating type in late blight has been a complete change in management practices by the potato industry. A cooperative sunflower survey in 2001 for the states of North Dakota and South Dakota have helped to determine the incidence of pest problems for the sunflower industry. The survey has provided valuable insight into the Lygusissue facing the confectionary sunflower industry. Continued surveys will help assess the success of Lygus management recommendations.NDSU has led the development of these new management practices.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever and Hatch

Scope of Impact _ Multi_state Integrated Research and Extension. Growers in ND profit from the disease and insect survey and corresponding management recommendations. Information is also beneficial to areas surrounding ND i.e., Red River Valley. The 2001 sunflower survey has identified key pest issues for growers in both Dakotas. Growers especially in ND but also the tri_state region will benefit from the release of the new wheat leaf rust and FHB resistant wheats. Growers in the potato growing areas of the tri_state area profit from the development of the new management practices for the new A2 mating type in potato.

Building a healthy diet through nutrition is the backbone of good health. The nutrition education assistants/agents (NEA) motivate clients to adopt eating and lifestyle behaviors that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for America and the Food Guide Pyramid. Through the Family Nutrition Program, staff provides nutrition education by demonstrating ways to incorporate a variety of new foods, and change some of their food preparation methods.

Impact _ The variety of delivery methods used in each county reflects programming that relates specifically to the area of dietary quality. This applies to the nutritional value of the food acquired, how the overall diet of the recipient compares to standardized models such as the food guide pyramid and dietary guidelines. Evaluations show:

76 percent moved closer to the recommended number of servings of the Food Guide Pyramid.

40 percent moved closer to recommended levels of physical activity.

49 percent moved closer to the Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

76 percent improved dietary quality.

The Family Nutrition Program focuses on increasing the ability of individuals and families receiving food stamps to make wise use of their food dollars. This is accomplished by providing

classes to low_income resource audiences on nutrition and meal planning; food purchasing, preparation, and safety; and food resource management.

Impact _ Staff received intensive training on the USDA "Thermy" campaign. Participants in the food safety classes received food thermometers to insure proper cooking temperature of their food. Follow_up evaluations show:

95 percent indicated they less often let food set out more than two hours

98 percent indicated they washed their hands more often before touching food.

98 percent indicated they keep raw meat separate from other foods more often.

98 percent cook meats and eggs thoroughly more often.

98 percent improved food safety practices.

Source of federal funds: Smith_Lever

Scope of Impact: Multi_state Extension. The FNP is a national program.

One of the overall goals in the area of food resource management for the past year was to help clients develop menu planning skills and practice their spending plan for one month. Staff were trained in a new curriculum developed by the University of Wisconsin entitled Money for Food.

Classes are often held at a variety of cooperating agencies such as County Social Services, tribal organizations, senior citizen sites, WIC, or Head Start.

Impact _ North Dakota residents attended food resource management programming. Participants defined a variety of means to help them effectively manage their limited resources. Surveys show:

94 percent use a spending plan more often than before their participation in FNP.

93 percent use a menu planning process.

50 percent shop from a list more often since participating in FNP.

91 percent use comparison_shopping techniques such as reading labels, unit pricing, and reading nutrition fact labels.

Source of federal funds: USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education.

Scope of impact: State Specific

The goal of food security is to help food stamp recipients have an adequate supply of food throughout the month. Food security issues were incorporated into a variety of educational topics presented by nutrition education agents/assistants (NEAs) at their nutrition education classes. Emphasized themes included increasing knowledge and/or use of food assistance programs provided in their community. Classes were offered at a variety of locations including the tribal commodity warehouses, food pantries, Headstart, county social services, or transitional living facilities.

Impact _ Upon completion of FNP programming classes, clients reported:

76 percent decreased the frequency of seeking emergency food assistance (food pantry, soup kitchen, etc.).

33 percent increased the use of available non_emergency food assistance programs such as WIC, food stamps, school breakfast and school lunch programs.

55 percent of respondents indicated they had enough to eat throughout the month.

Source of federal funds: USDA Food Stamp Nutrition Education.

Scope of Impact: State Specific

NDSU along with the USDA HEP developed a unique educational experience for undergraduates. Four new courses in food safety and a minor program of study in food safety were developed and implemented. In addition, the Great Plains Institute of Food Safety was established. More recently, the institute’s educational offerings were expanded to include a major, a M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in food safety and a graduate certificate in food protection, making NDSU’s food safety educational efforts among the most comprehensive in the country.

Impact _ Thus far, every student completing the food safety minor who wanted a job in food safety has obtained one. Details of the program have been disseminated to educators nationwide, and cooperative efforts with several major institutions are underway to expand the impact of NDSU’s program, including its undergraduate and graduate offerings, beyond regional borders using distance educational modalities. In addition, we have offered our experiences to others as a model of an educational initiative designed to respond to our stakeholders’ needs in minimal time. Also, our experiences demonstrate the incorporation of experiential learning into a multidisciplinary curriculum in order to develop the problem_solving abilities of our students. Finally, this program is being used to demonstrate the development and implementation of a complex, multidisciplinary curriculum by a team of faculty from widely different backgrounds. New interdepartmental academic programs in food safety have been developed for initial offering beginning June 12, 2002. Nearly 100 former NDSU students expressed interest in the pursuing a PhD in the area, and we anticipate that several students will enroll in this program during the summer. External companies and agencies have expressed substantial interest in direct participation or receipt through distance formats.

Source of federal funds: USDA Challenge Grant and institutional funds

Scope of Impact: Regional and national impact. Current distance educational efforts with South Dakota State University, Michigan State University, and University of Minnesota should greatly extend the reach of the program.

NDSU researchers evaluated the vitamin content of the ribeye muscle from grain and grass finished bison. They also compared the shelf_life of bison to that of beef and pork. In addition, strip loins from grass_finished bison and grain_finished bison were fed to a taste panel to evaluate flavor, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability. The panelists consistently preferred the grain_finished roasts over the grass_finished meat.

Impact – The work will help set standards for feeding, processing and labeling bison meat and help refine marketing strategies for the developing bison industry. North Dakota is home to the largest bison processing facility in the world as well as a significant portion of the North American bison herd.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Multistate research

Researchers found that freeze_dried water_soluble extract from potato peel contains phenolic compounds that perform as antioxidants in sunflower oil. The extract decreases oxidative deterioration and increases the shelf life of foods such as pastries, sugar cookies and salad dressing. Vitamin E, another antioxidant, prevents color deterioration that occurs in some meat over time; however, it is prohibitively expensive. Synthetic antioxidents are being scrutinized for toxicity. The potato peel extract, however, may be a less expensive, safer alternative. Preliminary research indicates the extract can extend the shelf life of meat products.

Impact: In preliminary research, the addition of potato peel extract extended the shelf_life and color of meat by up to four days, a significant improvement for meat retailers. If successful, the product may provide additional income to potato producers and processors in North Dakota.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Statewide research

Gushing problems with beer and the presence of mycotoxins are well_documented effects associated with fusarium head blight infection in malting barley. These are key reasons why the disease has had such an impact on barley’s acceptance by the malting industry.

Because Fusarium head blight can also have pronounced impact on grain composition and quality, probably from enzymes produced by the disease, researchers are looking at the link between infection and grain quality. Also, researchers are looking at ways to reduce the growth of the fusarium mold and production of toxins during the malting process.

Impact: Identifying links between the spread of disease infection and how quality is affected may help researchers find ways of incorporating resistance into barley varieties. For example, some barley varieties may contain natural inhibitors that keep the disease at bay or limit its effect. The researchers are seeing encouraging results using hot water immersion and electron_beam irradiation. These methods of "pasteurizing" barley seem to reduce mold infection rates during malting while not harming the germination ability of the barley.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Multistate research, MN

NDSU researchers identified durum lines having weak, strong and very strong gluten to assist wheat breeders developing varieties with targeted gluten strength characteristics. Researchers also studied the effect on gluten strength on the final quality of pasta products and evaluated variables in the wheat milling and pasta processing practices for their influence on pasta quality. In addition, researchers evaluated the quality of the 2001 durum crop by testing 224 samples collected during harvest from Montana and North Dakota.

Impact – Research on checking (crack formation) in dried spaghetti indicated that gluten strength and drying temperature affected the occurrence of checking. Strong gluten or an ultra_high drying cycle can reduce checking, the research showed. The research will also help breeders develop wheat varieties with specialized processing characteristics. The resulting varieties will help producers increase the value of their crops and enter specialty markets. Crop quality evaluations help industry groups market durum to domestic and foreign buyers.

Source of funding: Hatch

Scope of impact: Multi_state research, MT

Researchers identified hard red spring wheats with diverse starch characteristics to broaden the applications for wheat such as frozen dough and Asian noodles. Selected varieties were screened for performance in these products. In addition, researchers studied waxy wheats to determine if adding them to bread products could keep them from going stale.

Impact – The research could lead to new uses for North Dakota’s wheat crop. The information will help foreign and domestic buyers as they select wheat with characteristics that best meet their needs. In addition, the work may open specialized markets to the region’s wheat producers. Preliminary work with waxy durum wheat indicates the wheat reduces the rate at which bread products become stale, reducing the amount of shortening required – an economical and nutritional benefit.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Statewide research

Mycotoxins, toxins created by fungi, can cause food safety problems. Many crop diseases are caused by fungi and mycotoxins can result. NDSU’s Veterinary Toxicology Laboratory analyzes food and feed samples to evaluated mycotoxin content. The laboratory also screens samples for crop breeders who are evaluating varieties for resistance to diseases.

Impact – During 1999_2000, about 11,000 cases were processed by the toxicology lab for mycotoxin screens for livestock producers. The laboratory also provided about 4,400 assays for 13 scientists in seven states. The work of the laboratory helps protect livestock from contaminated feed, helps veterinarians and producers identify clinical problems to mycotoxins, and helps researchers develop crops that are safer and have improved quality. The Veterinary Toxicology Laboratory also acts as a reference laboratory for laboratories in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa.

Source of federal funds: Hatch.

Scope of Impact: Multi_state research, IA, MN, SD.

NDSU researchers are developing miniaturized portable sensors that can provide quality information about food products. Intelligent sensors based on electrical nose technology can evaluate the safety and quality of meat and barley.

Impact – NDSU research with miniature portable sensors will give researchers new tools for studying how food quality deteriorates and what hazards arise during food storage and handling. The food industry may also use the technology to detect changes in food quality and safety. Another application may be to detect spoilage or the development of mycotoxins in stored grain.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Statewide research

Researchers tested diluted solutions of various household sanitizers (apple cider, vinegar, white vinegar, bleach, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice) for reducing E. coli and other bacteria on lettuce. Lettuce and other vegetables have been implicated in outbreaks of food poisoning and have been shown to be a source of foodborne pathogens.

Impact – Researchers found that white vinegar was the most effective at reducing E. coli levels and other bacteria. Sensory evaluations showed that lettuce treated with diluted sanitizers were acceptable to consumers. The study may lead to easy_to_use home treatments for lettuce and other produce that may significantly reduce the threat from food_borne pathogens.

Source of federal funds: Hatch

Scope of impact: Statewide research