ILSI Europe Seminar on Assessing Safety of Water Used in the Production of Fresh Produce

Stockholm, Sweden
30/08/2012

Accessibility to abundant sources of high quality water is integral to the production of safe and wholesome fresh produce. More recently, there have been emerging concerns on access to safe water leading to the production of products contaminated with pathogenic micro-organisms, resulting in the increased risk of human and animal disease. In response to this emerging problem, ILSI Europe Emerging Microbiological Issues Task Force initiated a study to assess the scientific evidence regarding the safety of water used in the production of fresh and minimally processed produce.

An international group of experts identified the microbial food safety concerns of significance to fresh produce in different regions of the world, with particular focus on pathogens derived from contaminated production and processing waters. The seminar aims were:

  • To discuss the relationship between food and water safety and security, including its impact on crop production practices and microbial ecology,
  • To identify issues associated with use of wastewater as an alternative to potable water in fresh produce production and realise the global importance of providing safe and abundant water sources to support the production of adequate nutrition for a growing world population.
  • To identify gaps and guidances needed for practical implementation of existing guidance.

PROGRAMME

To download the programme, click here.

PRESENTATIONS

Introduction and Welcome
Dr. Peter McClure,Unilever, UK
PDF

ILSI Europe Water Initiative
Prof. John Fawell, Consultant, UK
PDF

Fresh produce and microbial safety concerns
Prof. Mieke Uyttendaele, University of Ghent, BE
PDF

Microbial hazards in irrigation water and potential pathogen transmission to fresh produce
Prof. Lise Korsten, University of Pretoria, ZA
PDF

Sources and microbial quality of irrigation waters and waters used in postharvest processes
Dr. Liesbeth Jacxsens, University of Ghent, BE
PDF

Guidance on microbial risk assessment
Prof. Gertjan Medema, Watercycle Research Institute, NL
PDF

Data gaps and conclusions
Prof. John Fawell, Consultant, UK
PDF

Bottling and water re-use
Prof. Lise Korsten, University of Pretoria, ZA
PDF

ILSI RF Guidance for Safe Water Recovery and Use at Bottling and Food Processing
Dr. Steve Froggett, Consultant, US
PDF

ILSI Europe’s new activity on water sustainability
Prof. John Fawell, Consultant, UK
PDF

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