Soil Borne Pathogens Contamination
- Posted by Alvin on April 15th, 2009 filed in Information
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The recent rash of contaminated foodstuffs were traced back to contamination of soil-borne pathogens namely salmonella which is present in soil that is contaminated with animal waste. From the recalls of peanut butter, pistachio nuts and many more, all were traced to soil and even dead animal carcasses (in mouse traps) left near food production equipment where they can easily come in contact with the machinery and packaging equipment that is being used. Safety has suffered for these production facilities should have done by law, safety checks before food products even go out of the factory/packaging facility doors. There should also be random checks and sampling of these products and facilities to see to it they are meeting health and safety requirements to keep production safe and free from such disease causing pathogens.
Food keeps us alive yet grown and handled improperly, they can also cause sickness with the many pathogens that may exist in the environment they were grown in. Proper sanitation and cleaning from the grower, packager and shipper should be observed to maintain a safe and hygienic supply chain that prevents such cross-contamination when food stuffs come in contact with spoiled or contaminated products. The public should have their own safety regimen in terms of foodstuffs, expiry dates should be observed and proper washing with appropriate cleaning agents used to kill these pathogens. Proper cooking of meat and vegetables should also be observed to kill off any remaining bacteria or parasites preventing them from getting into the people they should have sustained.