Environmental monitoring and equipment sanitation to mitigate <i>Listeria</i> risks in a soil-based controlled environment agriculture system.

ABSTRACT: Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) offers protection from external contaminants but introduces unique food safety challenges, particularly related to equipment sanitation. This study evaluated the occurrence and persistence of Listeria monocytogenes and related species in a commercial soil-based CEA facility through a 1-year environmental monitoring program (EMP). A total of 169 samples, including baby leaves, soil, water, and swabs from equipment surfaces, were collected across three visits. L. monocytogenes was detected in only one sample (0.59% prevalence), whereas Listeria innocua was isolated from harvesting crates and structural surfaces (3/169). Molecular confirmation and characterization were conducted using PCR (hly, iap, sigB), matrix-assisted la

SUBMITTER: Ayala-San Nicolas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12724139 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature