Assessing the risk of foodborne pathogen contamination in fresh fruit and vegetable productions.

The project is funded by DAFM and is divided among three partners. University of Limerick, Professor Achim Schmalenberger is the project coordinator. The partners are Teagasc Ashtown with Dr Kaye Burgess and Dr Michael Gaffney as well as UCD, Professor Enda Cummins and Professor Francis Butler. Dr Burgess also acts as the PI of the project.

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The main objectives of SafeGreen are:

Sampling: We sample apples and spinach as well as their processing and storage environment in collaboration with spinach and apple producers to assess potential sources of contamination. Furthermore, external potential contamination sources will be monitored. This includes water and fertilizer sources, bird droppings and insects as well as dust particles from nearby livestock.

Testing: We monitor for foodborne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella enterica for the samples taken above, using cultivation dependent and independent methods.

Sensemaking: We establish a risk assessment model for Shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in selected horticulture products and potential sources of contamination.
 

SafeGreen partners University of Limerick, University College Dublin, Teagasc Ashtown

Latest News

Latest News
11 Feb 2026

SafeGreen is looking for stakeholder participation

We are looking for apple growers and leafy vegetable growers to participate in our 2026 monitoring campaign.

QR code to the registration of interest form