TitlePDF
Produce safety risk assessment data gaps
Project authors
Kristen, Pogreba-Brown, Stephen Barnes, Kelly Bright, Marc Verhougstraete
Project summary
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) incorporates laboratory and field-based data into mathematical models to address the spread of microbial agents through environmental exposures and to characterize the nature of adverse outcomes (e.g., the risks of illness or death). Since every scenario of a QMRA cannot be wholly investigated, educated assumptions help fill existing data gaps. The use of assumptions during QMRA studies limits the effectiveness and applicability of safety procedures and policies. Therefore, this project aimed to 1) determine the data gaps that exist in relation to risk assessments for leafy green produce safety through the examination of the published scientific literature and through discussions with stakeholders in the leafy green industry, 2) identify existing data that may address identified gaps, and 3) classify each gap on the completeness of available data and the efforts required to address them. The true gaps identified during this study are all steps in the harvest category. There were numerous steps in the pre-harvest and harvest categories with limited data. Post-harvest generally had moderate data available for all steps. Identifying and classifying these gaps in the index of (in)completeness will enhance the competitiveness of leafy greens by focusing on the steps where research, education, or product development are truly necessary to improve food safety.