Reclaimed Watewater : Threat to Fresh Produce that Grow Close to Ground
Fresh produce, such as lettuce, carrots, strawberries, fresh herbs etc., that grow close to the ground can be a risk to health as they are eaten raw.
This is particularly true when they are irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Though a conclusive risk assessment data may be absent, but pathogenic viruses and parasites can get onto or into the plants via this route.
Reclaimed wastewater in agriculture poses a new challenge to food safety.
Certain viruses and single-celled parasites (protozoa) can defy environmental influences and cause diseases via raw fruits and vegetables.
Climate change, unpredictable weather patterns and droughts can deplete water resources. Water reuse is intended to protect the environmental and human and animal health.
Fruits and vegetables that can be eaten raw, in which any pathogens that are present are not reduced or killed by heating, need particular attention.
Pathogens can get onto or into the edible parts of the plants via all of the irrigation systems, like subsurface drip irrigation, drip irrigation, furrow irrigation, sprinkler system,hydroponic culture and cause illness in humans when consumed raw.
Wastewater treatment therefore requires suitable methods for inactivating or reducing pathogens before being used for irrigation.
The contamination of food and feed is a global threat to food safety and has great public health and economic significance. Consider for example, `mycotoxin' contamination - it is weather dependent and so when to control and use technologies to decontaminate grains and other crops should be known. Risk can however be unpredictable when commodities like grain, cocoa, coffee, spices, dried fruits or nuts are imported and the analytical and control systems must therefore be vigilant at all times. more
This is particularly true when they are irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Though a conclusive risk assessment data may be absent, but pathogenic viruses and parasites can get onto or into the plants via this route.
Reclaimed wastewater in agriculture poses a new challenge to food safety.
Certain viruses and single-celled parasites (protozoa) can defy environmental influences and cause diseases via raw fruits and vegetables.
Climate change, unpredictable weather patterns and droughts can deplete water resources. Water reuse is intended to protect the environmental and human and animal health.
Fruits and vegetables that can be eaten raw, in which any pathogens that are present are not reduced or killed by heating, need particular attention.
Pathogens can get onto or into the edible parts of the plants via all of the irrigation systems, like subsurface drip irrigation, drip irrigation, furrow irrigation, sprinkler system,hydroponic culture and cause illness in humans when consumed raw.
Wastewater treatment therefore requires suitable methods for inactivating or reducing pathogens before being used for irrigation.
The contamination of food and feed is a global threat to food safety and has great public health and economic significance. Consider for example, `mycotoxin' contamination - it is weather dependent and so when to control and use technologies to decontaminate grains and other crops should be known. Risk can however be unpredictable when commodities like grain, cocoa, coffee, spices, dried fruits or nuts are imported and the analytical and control systems must therefore be vigilant at all times. more
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The resource is an attempt at scare mongering. It is better to leave such subjects to experts rather than bringing them on public platforms. If this gentleman is genuinely interested in public health and welfare, he should take it up for discussion with nearest water conservation laboratory and agricultural university. People should stop clamouring after instant publicity. more
Oct 01
I will be happy if the message is acknowledged. On Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 10:28:13 AM GMT-2:30, dada lanre wrote: Good-day sir/ma, the report sent on the safety of fresh produce that grows close to the ground has health risks. I suggest that this report needs to be proved scientifically. If any of these fresh produce samples are available you can send them to me for proper analysis in ISO certified laboratory for detailed report On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 12:13:02 PM GMT-2:30, Debashish Dutta wrote: more
Sep 22
Good-day sir/ma, the report sent on the safety of fresh produce that grows close to the ground has health risks. I suggest that this report needs to be proved scientifically. If any of these fresh produce samples are available you can send them to me for proper analysis in ISO certified laboratory for detailed report On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 12:13:02 PM GMT-2:30, Debashish Dutta wrote: more
Sep 22
It requires authorization to collect samples for the purpose, viz. analysis to generate report.
If applicable, samples can be collected by the laboratory itself or any other person authorized by the laboratory. Report can be supported by the location details from where samples collected for analysis. more
If applicable, samples can be collected by the laboratory itself or any other person authorized by the laboratory. Report can be supported by the location details from where samples collected for analysis. more
Nov 09
A lot of vegetable farming in populated areas and big cities are done in contaminated places and fed on waste water. I have seen green palak leaves for example planted near railway tracks in Mumbai. The concerned authorities need to focus on the pros and cons of such cases to protect health issues. more
Sep 18
lot of places in villages they grow vegetables in contaminated water since water is not available to grow vegetables when they do not have water to drink still. We need to use caution and have to clean the vegetables thoroughly before we use it especially if we want to eat it raw more
Sep 17
