Recent produce-associated outbreaks of human diseases have demonstrated that foodborne human pathogens can be associated with plant products and crop plants can be contaminated in the field. Salmonella enterica in/on plants shows preferential bacterial colonization in the rhizoplane, bacterial growth on root surfaces and extended survival in soil when crops are planted subsequently. Most efforts have focused on potential postharvest solutions rather than addressing microbial-plant interactions in the field. Effective risk reduction and prevention strategies require knowledge of the interactions of foodborne pathogens with one another, with plants and with nonpathogenic microflora. Plant pathologists have extensive expertise on the complex relationships between microbes and plants and can be a valuable scientific resource to enhance fundamental knowledge of, and design effective solutions to, microbial contamination of food plants. Effective solutions will require the application of emerging research tools and strategies as well as creative cross-disciplinary research efforts. This symposium will provide examples of applying plant pathology principles and knowledge to solving human pathogen on plant issues, highlights of multidisciplinary research reported at the Human Pathogens on Plants Workshop: Multidisciplinary Strategies for Research (February 2012), FDA’s strategic research agenda to support produce regulations and the role of extension in implementing safe production practices. The symposium is unique in that it focuses on the increasing need for multidisciplinary solutions to food safety – from plant pathologists and food technologies to extension professionals and regulators.

Presentations