The surprising link between food safety and growing media

Article By Pauline Portal Published December 2, 2024
Article Source: The surprising link between food safety and growing media - Greenhouse CanadaGreenhouse Canada

As the global population surpasses eight billion, the demand for food is intensifying, leading to more innovative ways of growing crops. One increasingly important solution is controlled environment agriculture (CEA), where leafy greens, herbs, and other crops can be cultivated year-round. But as we push for increased food production, maintaining food safety must remain a priority.

Understanding food safety in crop production

Food safety refers to the conditions and practices that prevent foodborne illnesses. This involves safeguarding crops from contamination throughout the production chain. Contaminants can originate from a variety of sources, including water, seeds, fertilizers, and even the growing environment itself. These contaminations can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins that can have severe health impacts.

For crops like leafy greens and herbs, which are often eaten raw, ensuring food safety is crucial. Common pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli can cause serious illnesses. Since these pathogens can survive in growing environments, every part of the production process, from seed to harvest, needs attention.

The role of growing media in food safety

Growing media plays a pivotal role in the production process, especially in CEA environments where crops are grown without soil. In these systems, growing media supports plant roots and provides the necessary nutrients and water. While traditionally, focus has been placed on the performance of these media in promoting healthy plant growth, there is an increasing awareness of their role in maintaining food safety.

Despite its importance, there are currently no established food safety standards for growing media in North America. However, that doesn’t mean risks should be ignored. Growing media must be handled, processed, and tested with the same care as any other element in food production.

Addressing food safety in growing media

Recognizing the need for higher safety standards, some companies like Berger, have developed a comprehensive food safety program for their products used in edible crop production. The goal is simple: minimize contamination risks and ensure that growing media supports both plant health and food safety.

Food safety protocols

At Berger, safety measures begin long before the growing media reaches the greenhouse. Their food safety program is built on five key steps that address potential contamination risks during production:

• Decontamination of mixing equipment to ensure there are no residual contaminants.

• Water safety testing to confirm that water used in production is food safe.

• Input testing to verify that every ingredient used in the mix is food safe.

• Third-party laboratory testing for pathogens in samples from each production.

• Regular spot checks to ensure consistency in quality and safety across all products.

By following these steps, Berger aims to provide peace of mind for growers producing food crops. Their FST (Food Safety Tested) line of growing media undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets high safety standards, reducing risks for growers using their products in CEA.

Managing pathogens in growing media ingredients

Certain growing media ingredients naturally carry a lower risk of contamination. For example, sphagnum peat moss, one of the most common ingredients in growing media, is harvested from nutrient-poor, acidic environments that are not conducive to pathogen growth. Similarly, perlite and vermiculite are sterilized at high temperatures during processing, further reducing contamination risks.

Nevertheless, other materials, such as compost, can pose higher risks due to their organic nature. In these cases, stricter protocols are essential. For instance, compost used in growing media can be closely monitored for moisture content and temperature to ensure it remains free from harmful pathogens.

The water used in growing media production is another potential contamination source, so companies like Berger have adopted additional measures such as UV water treatment to maintain water purity. Regular water testing is another layer of defence, ensuring that pathogens don’t enter the production process via water sources.

Why proactive food safety is critical

Taking a proactive approach to food safety isn’t just about avoiding contamination – it’s about creating a consistent and reliable system that protects public health. For growers, this means working with materials and partners that prioritize food safety from start to finish. By following strict protocols and testing procedures, potential risks can be minimized long before crops reach consumers.

Berger’s approach to food safety reflects this philosophy. With thorough testing, monitoring, and sanitation practices in place, they are setting a precedent for safety in the growing media industry. This proactive stance is increasingly important as the demand for food-safe growing media continues to grow, particularly for crops that are consumed fresh.

The bigger picture: Food safety beyond growing media

While growing media plays a key role in maintaining safe crop production, it’s just one part of the larger food safety puzzle. Water, seeds, fertilizers, and even how crops are harvested and handled post-harvest are critical factors. However, by addressing food safety at every level of production, including in the growing media, growers can help reduce the overall risk of contamination.

Every step of the food production process matters when it comes to food safety. Whether it’s carefully selecting inputs, testing water sources, or monitoring the growing environment, each action contributes to reducing the risks of foodborne pathogens.

A collective responsibility

In the end, ensuring food safety is everyone’s responsibility – from growing media producers to the growers themselves. By adopting rigorous food safety protocols, growers can protect their crops, their customers, and ultimately, public health.

As the world moves towards more advanced and intensive food production methods, food safety will continue to be a top priority. By taking proactive measures and ensuring that all parts of the production process meet safety standards, growers can help ensure that the food on our tables is not only fresh and nutritious but also safe to eat.

For more information, visit Berger.ca