USDA Announces Research Grant to Identify, Prevent E. coli Contamination
August 24, 2007
This week, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns announced that the Department is allocating $5.5 million for collaborative research aimed at identifying risk factors and preventive measures for E. coli O157:H7 contamination in fresh produce. USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSRES) are providing the funding to ARS researcher Rob Mandrell and his collaborators at the University of California, Davis to continue their research in the Central Valley of California. Over the next three years, ARS will contribute $5 million and CSREES will contribute $470,999. Mandrell will investigate where E. coli O157:H7 originates, how it survives on plants, and what factors lead to produce-related outbreaks. "We commend the Department for making fresh produce food safety a priority," said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. For more information, contact Robert Guenther, or access the USDA's website at http://www.csrees.usda.gov.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
