Dafm Funded Project Protecting Fresh Fruit and Veg From Diseases
A project in the University of Limerick (UL) that is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is being used to assess the risk of foodborne pathogen contamination in fresh fruit and vegetable productions.
The SafeGreen project is coordinated by Professor Achim Schmalenberger, who spoke on Agriland's AgriFocus podcast this week.
The project samples apples and spinach, as well as their processing and storage environment, in collaboration with spinach and apple producers to assess potential sources of contamination.
This includes water and fertiliser sources, bird droppings, and insects, as well as dust particles from nearby livestock.
During the project, foodborne pathogens, including listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic E. coli, and salmonella enterica are monitored using cultivation dependent and independent methods.
These pathogens are responsible for a significant amount of product recalls and are among the most lethal foodborne pathogens.
Dr. Schmalenberger explained that consumption of fresh green vegetables and fruits is encouraged for health benefits under the Healthy Ireland framework, for their ability to provide consumers with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre.
As a result, leafy vegetables consumption, including spinach, has substantially increased in Ireland and the EU. Likewise, consumption of fresh fruit has improved for the same health benefits.
Nevertheless, according to Dr. Schmalenberger, levels of consumption are still "significantly below" recommended targets of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
He believes that one barrier to achieving the five-a-day consumption goals is the potential contamination of the food products with hazardous bacteria.
In particular, consumption of unprocessed fruit and vegetables that are cultivated in the open environment, such as spinach and apples, pose a potential risk through contamination by foodborne pathogens.
A number of outbreaks and product recalls related to spinach and apples contaminated with listeria monocytogenes and other foodborne pathogens have highlighted these potential risks.
Dr. Schmalenberger explained that limited knowledge exists on potential sources of contamination for fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown in open fields, and that potential sources of contamination may originate from fertilisers of animal origin, such as farmyard manure.
SafeGreen is coordinated by Dr. Schmalenberger, in partnership with Teagasc Ashtown's Kaye Burgess, and University College Dublin's Enda Cummins.
The project started in 2024, and has since established and validated detection methods that are applied in a first round of testing with participating farmers.
The project is not initiating stakeholder involvements to include further growers of spinach and apple to join the testing phase.
However, Dr. Schmalenberger said that it his team are employing Living Lab principles that encourage co-innovation by stakeholders.
His team are also also drawing up a form for stakeholders to sign up, from keeping informed to actively taking part.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
11 hours ago
- Agriland
TB in focus: Record high reactors, soaring costs and the impact on farmers
Latest national bovine tuberculosis (TB) statistics show reactor numbers have hit a high of 43,290, while total expenditure in the first six months of this year has soared to more than €52.01 million. But behind the statistics is the very human cost of a TB outbreak on farm families, who have to put their daily lives on hold and then live with the fear that persists once a farm is declared TB-free. This week Agriland's special focus - 'Silent spread- Ireland's TB battle' - will examine the devastating cost of the disease, both economically and emotionally, and how the TB challenge may shape farming in the future and government spending. We visit one Kerry dairy farmer who lost his entire herd to the disease and find out how he rebuilt his herd. We also find out how other countries have adopted new policies and a 'strengthened partnership approach' in their campaigns to eradicate TB and how they are dealing with the persisting challenge of the disease. During our special focus week on TB, Agriland will also examine why enhancing genetic resistance to the disease can significantly "reduce the number of reactors, minimise herd disruptions, and lower costs". We also speak to the experts who are on the frontline of the battle against TB and find out what the latest research is telling us about the spread of the disease and what may be some of the key elements that might work when it comes to finding a solution. Millions of euro has been spent on research and on compensation to farmers in Ireland, but the current approach has not halted the spread of the disease or prevented herd breakdowns. However Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said he will unveil a new "action plan" to deal with rising TB levels in Ireland. Last month, Minister Heydon said he had secured "approval and support of my government colleagues to address the current high level of bovine TB". "My ambition with the bovine TB programme is to protect all farm families, those who are dealing with a bovine TB outbreak and those who are trying to keep their herds free from bovine TB," he stated.
Agriland
18 hours ago
- Agriland
Dafm Funded Project Protecting Fresh Fruit and Veg From Diseases
University of Limerick scheme tests apple and spinach products and storage A project in the University of Limerick (UL) that is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is being used to assess the risk of foodborne pathogen contamination in fresh fruit and vegetable productions. The SafeGreen project is coordinated by Professor Achim Schmalenberger, who spoke on Agriland's AgriFocus podcast this week. The project samples apples and spinach, as well as their processing and storage environment, in collaboration with spinach and apple producers to assess potential sources of contamination. This includes water and fertiliser sources, bird droppings, and insects, as well as dust particles from nearby livestock. During the project, foodborne pathogens, including listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic E. coli, and salmonella enterica are monitored using cultivation dependent and independent methods. These pathogens are responsible for a significant amount of product recalls and are among the most lethal foodborne pathogens. Dr. Schmalenberger explained that consumption of fresh green vegetables and fruits is encouraged for health benefits under the Healthy Ireland framework, for their ability to provide consumers with vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre. As a result, leafy vegetables consumption, including spinach, has substantially increased in Ireland and the EU. Likewise, consumption of fresh fruit has improved for the same health benefits. Nevertheless, according to Dr. Schmalenberger, levels of consumption are still "significantly below" recommended targets of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. He believes that one barrier to achieving the five-a-day consumption goals is the potential contamination of the food products with hazardous bacteria. In particular, consumption of unprocessed fruit and vegetables that are cultivated in the open environment, such as spinach and apples, pose a potential risk through contamination by foodborne pathogens. A number of outbreaks and product recalls related to spinach and apples contaminated with listeria monocytogenes and other foodborne pathogens have highlighted these potential risks. Dr. Schmalenberger explained that limited knowledge exists on potential sources of contamination for fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown in open fields, and that potential sources of contamination may originate from fertilisers of animal origin, such as farmyard manure. SafeGreen is coordinated by Dr. Schmalenberger, in partnership with Teagasc Ashtown's Kaye Burgess, and University College Dublin's Enda Cummins. The project started in 2024, and has since established and validated detection methods that are applied in a first round of testing with participating farmers. The project is not initiating stakeholder involvements to include further growers of spinach and apple to join the testing phase. However, Dr. Schmalenberger said that it his team are employing Living Lab principles that encourage co-innovation by stakeholders. His team are also also drawing up a form for stakeholders to sign up, from keeping informed to actively taking part.
Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Bird flu case detected in Donegal backyard flock
Avian influenza, otherwise known as 'bird flu' has been discovered in a backyard flock in Co. Donegal. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has today (Thursday, July 31) confirmed that there are no trade implications for the Irish poultry industry in relation to this detection, due to the very small size of the flock. Minister Heydon said: 'A bird from a very small backyard flock in Co. Donegal has tested positive for the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, following a post-mortem examination carried out in my department's Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Sligo. "Following this result, the other birds in the flock have now been euthanised. I would like to extend my sympathies to the flock owner.' Moving to reassure poultry farmers and the Irish poultry industry, Minister Heydon stated: 'As this flock was very small and was not involved in commercial poultry activity, under the legislation this incident is not an outbreak of avian influenza. "Therefore, this does not affect Ireland's disease-free status in respect of avian influenza and there are no trade implications or restriction zones," the minister added. He has emphasised the importance of biosecurity as the single most effective way to prevent the virus spreading from wild birds into poultry, or between poultry flocks. "This incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by avian influenza and is a reminder to all who keep poultry, whether commercial holdings or those who have some backyard hens, to stay aware and take precautions to prevent contact with or contamination from wild birds," Minister Heydon said. People are advised to report any suspicions of avian influenza to the local Regional Veterinary Office without delay. In recent weeks, there have been a number of cases of avian influenza detected in wild birds in Ireland, mainly sea birds in coastal areas. In 2025, a total of 41 cases of avian influenza in wild birds have been detected. The minister has reiterated the importance of taking precautions to protect public health: 'I have a clear message for the public, especially for those who may encounter dead birds on beaches this summer - do not touch or pick up dead wild birds, and keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds.' The HSE-HPSC has advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.
