Report
Produce Safety Rule harvest intervals: validated Escherichia coli die-off data for Washington apples
Technical bulletin (Washington State University. Extension), 109E, Washington State University Extension
09/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007538
Abstract
The Produce Safety Rule (PSR), established under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sets science-based standards aimed at reducing microbial contamination during the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables intended for human consumption (FDA 2015, 2024). Recognizing that agricultural water may serve as a route of produce contamination, the PSR requires growers to conduct a written preharvest agricultural water assessment. The preharvest agricultural water assessment determines whether additional measures are needed to minimize the risks associated with any of these preharvest agricultural water usage practices. One possible mitigation measure is extending the interval between the last application of agricultural water and harvest, allowing time for microbial die-off. In Washington, overhead evaporative cooling with untreated surface water is commonly used to mitigate sunburn in apples. While this method helps prevent economic losses for farmers, it often involves applying water to the apples close to harvest. More information is needed on the die-off of generic Escherichia coli on apple surfaces to understand the appropriate time-to-harvest interval after overhead evaporative cooling. Research studies conducted by Washington State University and the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission have provided scientifically valid data on the die-off rate of generic E. coli on in-field apples. These data offer Washington apple growers valuable information for making informed decisions regarding safe time-to-harvest intervals.
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Details
- Title
- Produce Safety Rule harvest intervals
- Creators
- Claire Murphy (Author) - Washington State University, School of Food ScienceMeijun Zhu (Author) - Washington State University, School of Food ScienceInes Hanrahan (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Horticulture
- Academic Unit
- Publications, WSU Extension
- Series
- Technical bulletin (Washington State University. Extension); 109E
- Publisher
- Washington State University Extension; Pullman, Washington
- Number of pages
- 5
- Identifiers
- 99901295395901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report