EEUU: FDA and EPA approve first registered anti-microbial pre-harvest agricultural water treatment
In a significant advancement for agricultural water safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced the successful registration of SaniDate® 12.0, the first antimicrobial treatment
. This milestone offers farmers a new tool to combat foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli in the water used to irrigate crops.
Sanidate 12.0 is a BioSafe Systems product. The company says “SaniDate 12.0 is currently the only EPA-registered (EPA Reg. No. 70299-18) product labeled for the reduction and control of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), including O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica in preharvest irrigation water.”
Developed through a collaborative effort between the FDA and EPA, the efficacy protocol for this treatment was refined to ensure its effectiveness in reducing microbial contamination in agricultural water. Prior to this approval, chemical applications in pre-harvest agricultural water were primarily limited to managing algae, biofilm formation, or produce rot. SaniDate 12.0 sets a critical standard for directly reducing the presence of human pathogens.
“This registration marks a landmark achievement in our collective efforts to improve food safety,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas. “Working together, the FDA and EPA have supported the development of this protocol that may ultimately help farmers address contamination issues in their water sources and protect consumers from foodborne illness.”
The approval of SaniDate 12.0 aligns with the FDA’s new rule on agricultural water, providing farmers with a robust tool to combat foodborne pathogens. This is expected to significantly mitigate risks and improve the safety of the water used in growing crops.
The FDA and EPA continue to encourage future registrations using this protocol for registering new treatment products or amending current labels for combating foodborne pathogens in pre-harvest agricultural water. This initiative is crucial given the diversity within the produce industry, so having a variety of options to manage pre-harvest water risks is essential.
This development represents a significant step forward in enhancing the safety of agricultural water, thereby contributing to the overall safety of the nation’s food supply.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Image: Credit Orna from Pixabay
Fuente: https://www.potatonewstoday.com/2024/11/12/fda-and-epa-approve-first-registered-anti-microbial-pre-harvest-agricultural-water-treatment/
