Quick Guide to Flood Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

Article by Indu Upadhyaya
indu.upadhyaya@uconn.edu
Reviewers: Shuresh Ghimire, Assistant Extension Educator, UConn Extension
Publication EXT 026 | August 2024

https://doi.org/10.61899/ucext.v1.026.2024

Introduction

Regional flooding can substantially affect fruit and vegetable crops, posing significant food safety risks. Crops exposed to floodwaters may become adulterated and unfit for human consumption or animal feed due to potential contamination. The safety of crops must be evaluated thoroughly after flooding events to prevent health hazards to the public through distribution. 

Crop segregation after flooding is critical; affected crops should be kept separate from those unaffected. It's also advisable for farmers to check their well water quality regularly to ensure safe conditions for irrigation and produce. Engaging with local agricultural extension services and following prescribed guidance can aid in efficiently managing post-flood crop safety. 

 

Types of Flooding

  • Two primary types of flooding occur: the first, a less severe type, happens after heavy rains ponding fields without introducing pathogens from rivers or lakes. The second, more severe type, involves runoff from rivers or lakes, likely carrying harmful chemical and biological contaminants. It is essential to distinguish between these flooding types when assessing the safety of impacted crops.

 Sources of Contamination

  • Floodwaters can introduce two main types of contamination: microbial and chemical. Microbial contamination can arise from various sources, including upstream farms, septic systems, and animal waste. Meanwhile, chemical contaminants may involve heavy metals or agricultural chemicals. These contaminants pose risks not only to human health but also to livestock if they consume affected crops.

Assessing Crop Safety

  • If the edible part of a crop has contacted floodwaters from rivers or lakes, it is deemed adulterated per FDA guidelines, and no reliable method exists to ensure its safety for consumption. For crops where the edible parts were not directly exposed but were near flooded areas, assessment should be done case by case, considering factors like the type of vegetable and exposure duration. Furthermore, if the produce is exposed to ponded water, the risk of contamination should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific conditions in and around the field.

Guidelines for Replanting

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends waiting for at between 30-60 days before replanting vegetables in flooded fields. When replanting, it’s also crucial to ensure that the soil is adequately dried, and tested, to safeguard against potential contamination risks. However, cover crops can be planted as soon as the ground can be worked.

Preventative Measures

  • Farmers are advised to establish a 30 feet buffer zone around flooded areas to prevent cross-contamination with unexposed crops. This can help mitigate risks associated with equipment spreading pathogens from flooded fields to adjacent areas where safe produce is harvested. Additionally, protective measures like wearing rubber gloves and boots while working in affected fields are essential.

Recommendations for Farmers

  • Crop segregation is critical; affected crops should be kept separate from those unaffected.
  • It's also advisable for farmers to check their well water quality regularly to ensure safe conditions for irrigation and produce.
  • Engaging with local agricultural extension services and following prescribed guidance can aid in efficiently managing post-flood crop safety.