Preliminary Results on the Ecology of Human Pathogens in the Southwest Environment Released

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is sharing preliminary findings from a multi-year environmental study of a specific growing region within the Southwest growing region conducted in partnership with the Arizona Department of Agriculture, and in conjunction with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District (WMIDD), and members of the leafy greens industry. The study sought to better understand the ecology of human pathogens in the environment in the Southwest agricultural region, particularly how pathogens survive, move and possibly contaminate produce prior to harvest, so that the agricultural community can work together to identify best practices to enhance food safety.

From May 2019 through April 2024, environmental samples were collected from irrigation and other surface waters, soil, sediment, air/dust, animal fecal material, wildlife scat, plant tissue and other sources across approximately a 54-mile area within the Southwest growing region. Through repeated sample collection, testing, measurement and analysis, the team was able to observe variability of pathogens in this region over time which provided insightful information on prevalence, location and potential influencing factors such as seasonality, weather conditions and animal activities on adjacent and nearby land.