Risk assessment of irrigation water used for cultivation of vegetables, fruits and berries
| Main Author: | Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety |
|---|---|
| Format: | Report Journal |
| Terbitan: |
, 2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: |
https://zenodo.org/record/830245 |
Daftar Isi:
- VKM concludes that the risk of infection, transmited from irrigation water used for cultivation of vegetables, fruits and berries, is low in Norway, because the environmental contamination is generally low in Norway. Bacteria, virus or parasites with low infectious dose represent the highest risk of infection in humans. Infectious dose is the number of organisms needed to cause disease. Microorganisms with low infectious dose are for example enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), Campylobacter, norovirus and several parasites. Surface water represents the highest risk of infection, especially when a spreader is used. In drip watering systems, the water is not in contact with the edible parts of vegetables, fruits and berries above ground, because the water drips from a hose on the ground directly to the roots. VKM presumes that choice of watering method will reduce possible contamination. A quarantine period after the last watering would reduce the amount of microorganisms on vegetables, fruits and berries. VKM concludes that consuming vegetables, fruits and berries watered with surface water does not represent a health risk regarding heavy metals, persistent organic environmental contaminants or plant protection products. VKM implies that risk based water monitoring and testing should be employed. It is recommended that water tests are taken at the time the watering takes place. Tests should be done more often annually for surface water to prevent the use of contaminated water. VKM suggests that E. coli is used as an indicator of fresh water contamination. To assess older contamination in irrigation water, VKM suggests using enterococcae as indicator.
- NO; no; vkm@vkm.no