Importance of Hand Hygiene during the Harvesting of Strawberries

Abstract

Foodborne outbreaks linked to poor hygiene indicate a need for education on the importance of hand hygiene during harvesting of fruit. This study simulated two potential scenarios (laboratory and field) that would lead to the transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from hands to strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa), harvesters, and field plants. The potential of direct transfer of E. coli O157:H7 from contaminated “pig skin” hands to strawberries was shown in Scenario 1. The potential of E. coli O157:H7 being transferred from contaminated hands to strawberries during harvesting was shown in all treatments up to the 100th strawberry tested with a transfer rate of 71% (1 berry) to 45% (100 berries) of E. coli. Scenario 2 mimicked the “bacteria” transfer from the worker’s contaminated hands to the workers’ clothing and to the field with the use of glowing lotion. It was shown that contaminated hands can transfer “bacteria” to the worker’s clothing, shoes, the picked strawberries, and the strawberry plants, weeds and straw mulch within the field (average spread of 50.25 ft from starting point). The transfer rate varied from worker to worker. Hand hygiene and proper worker training are essential for food-safe harvesting to avoid foodborne outbreak events.