USA – BioSafe Systems has announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of SaniDate 12.0, a product designed to reduce foodborne bacterial pathogens in preharvest agricultural irrigation water.
SaniDate 12.0 is the first EPA-registered product specifically labeled for controlling Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), including the notorious O157 strain, and Salmonella enterica in preharvest irrigation water.
SaniDate 12.0 employs peroxyacetic acid to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens that pose a threat to human health through contaminated irrigation water used in the production of fruits and vegetables.
The product’s development comes in response to the frequent food safety recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks associated with E. coli O157 and Salmonella enterica—two of the most common bacteria implicated in such incidents.
While the market already has several EPA-registered products for controlling human health pathogens postharvest, SaniDate 12.0 stands out as the first to target these dangerous bacteria in preharvest irrigation water.
This distinction is crucial, as it allows growers to address potential contamination at an earlier stage in the food production process, thereby enhancing the overall safety of fresh produce.
The approval comes at a pivotal time, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its regulations on agricultural water under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
The new rule, finalized in May 2024, emphasizes a systems-based approach to managing agricultural water risks, requiring farms to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and implement preventive measures to mitigate potential contamination.
These regulations aim to reduce the risk of microbial contamination at the source, making innovations like SaniDate 12.0 even more vital to ensuring food safety.
Additionally, the Western Growers Association has developed compliance tools to assist farms in adhering to these new regulations. These resources provide clear guidance on the necessary documentation and actions required to assess water risks and take corrective measures, highlighting the practical implications of the FDA’s updated approach for agricultural producers.
Furthermore, ongoing research by the FDA in the Southwest growing region is informing better practices in water management. Preliminary findings from a multi-year environmental study are being used to adapt water treatment methods to local conditions and emerging risks, emphasizing the importance of continually evolving water treatment strategies to protect public health.
“SaniDate 12.0 raises the bar in food safety in preharvest irrigation water,” said Dr. Jay Sughroue, Agriculture Southwest Area Manager for BioSafe Systems.
Dr. Sughroue, who has worked with fresh produce growers in the desert Southwest for over 13 years, emphasized the product’s role in protecting public health by reducing the risk of contamination before crops even reach the market.
The development of SaniDate 12.0 results from years of collaboration between BioSafe Systems, industry stakeholders, and university researchers.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
