Many of the major enteric foodborne pathogens (Campylobacter, STEC, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium spp., etc.) are zoonotic, meaning that they have animal reservoirs that may shed the pathogen in their feces. Produce-related outbreaks have been caused by fecal contamination of plants or surrounding watersheds by domesticated animals (especially livestock) or by wild or feral animals. Even a low level of contamination from fecal-borne zoonotic enteric pathogens can be a significant public health concern due to the low infectious dose of these pathogens, the potential for attachment and possibly ingress into edible parts of plants, and the lack of a post-harvest “kill step” to destroy pathogens on fresh and minimally processed produce.

• Assessing sources and genomic diversity of dairy-origin STEC in the San Joaquin Valley ( the nation’s primary dairy production region)
• Cross-contamination risks in dry packinghouse environments (especially onion and stone fruit) (funded through Center for Produce Safety)
• Identification of pre-harvest risk factors for foodborne pathogen transfer to leafy greens grown in the southwestern desert (also funded through Center for Produce Safety)
• Integrating cover crops and sheep grazing in almond orchards (funded by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research Extension (SARE) Professional and Producer Grant)
• Strengthening good agricultural practices for reducing bacterial contamination of leafy greens grown in central coastal California
• Salinas field trials to enhance quantitative microbial risk assessment following simulated wildlife fecal contamination in romaine lettuce fields
• Sources and modes of transmission of foodborne pathogens in orchards and adjacent concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) in central valley California (also funded through Center for Produce Safety)