Abstract

Although the organic production concept is characterised by an efficient and environmentally sound production that is based on a few off-farm inputs as well as recycling organically grown products. Organic products are often perceived as safer and more promotive to consumers' health as compared to products from conventional or integrated production systems. However, from a hygienic point of view, animal husbandry and plant crop production can share a larger contact interface in organic farming than in conventional or integrated production systems due to a higher usage of animal waste products and composts which are mainly used for soil health and fertility purposes. Furthermore, animals may also play an integral part in crop rotation/management (i.e., pasture) in organic horticulture. However, there are also organic systems which exclude any livestock inputs (vegan organic). This paper assesses the organic production of fruits and vegetables in light of the "one health"-concept. The "one health"-concept encompasses human medicine, veterinary medicine and husbandry science with zoonoses as the linking element. However, this concept does not consider plant foods as a potential health hazard. In light of the " one health"concept, the organic production of fruits and vegetables, in particular for products that are consumed raw or after minimal processing, is a hotspot for the transmission of fecal pathogens and completes the pathogens' transmission cycle between animals and humans and/or humans and humans. This review focuses on four critical routes of transmission (i) soil and soil fertility management, ii) irrigation water, iii) presence of livestock and wildlife, iv) humans) and discusses the measures (risk assessment, hurdle concept, guidelines and risk based inspection regimes) to be taken for the organic (and conventional with livestock inputs) production of safe fruits and vegetables. We concluded that a mixture of measures is available to manage risks within the "one health"-concept and this includes a choice for consumers to source more vegan organic products that are produced without any animal inputs.

Keywords

foodborne illnesses; guidelines; intervention strategies; irrigation water; microbial activity; Listeria spp.; organic manure; Salmonella spp.; shigatoxigenic E. coli (STEC); soil management; stock-free; vegan organic; workers' health and hygiene

Published in

Acta Horticulturae
2019, Volume: 1242, pages: 1-13
Title: Proceedings of the III international symposium on horticulture in Europe
ISBN: 978-94-62612-39-6, eISBN: 978-94-62612-39-6
Publisher: ISHS

Conference

3rd International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe (SHE), OCT 17-21, 2016, Chania, GREECE

SLU Authors

• Alsanius, Beatrix

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• von Essen, Elisabeth

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hartmann, Rahel

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Leibniz University of Hannover

• Vågsholm, Ivar

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Horticulture
Food Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1242.1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/103061