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FDA researchers describe methods, matrices and partnerships behind five-year STEC study
Summary
Researchers outlined sampling frequency (roughly every 4'8 weeks), matrices sampled (air, compost, feces, insects, leaves, soil, sediment, water), and partnerships with UC Davis's Western Center for Food Safety and the California Department of Food and Agriculture that enabled field access and sampling.
Dr. Julie Case opened the presentation with the study design and partners. She said the research was "highly collaborative in nature," acknowledging contributions from FDA's Human Foods Program, the Western Center for Food Safety (UC Davis) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, as well as participating growers who provided sampling access.
Case described the study's adaptive sampling approach, returning to sites roughly every 4'8 weeks depending on matrix, and listed the matrices sampled: air (passive and active), biological soil amendments/compost, livestock and wildlife feces, insects, leaves, soil, sediment and surface/well water. The team emphasized the importance of obtaining isolates for sequencing rather than reporting presence/absence only, to enable genetic linkage across samples.
Case and Leonard said that environmental and meteorological data were collected alongside samples (24'hour and 7'day weather windows) and that those overlays will be reported in forthcoming publications to help explain positive/negative findings.
