Fresh produce-associated outbreaks of foodborne illnesses frequently involved leafy greens, berries, vegetables, and fruit vegetables (e.g. cantaloupes, tomatoes, bell pepper, etc.). However, in the past few years, other fresh produce commodities have emerged as new concerns for human pathogen contamination. The 2015 multistate listeriosis outbreak associated with contaminated caramel apples, the 2014 recall of stone fruits due to L. monocytogenes contamination, the 2014 surveillance findings of L. monocytogenes on avocados, and previous Salmonella outbreak associated with contaminated mangos have brought tree fruits to our attention as an emerging food safety concern. Limited research has been performed on tree fruits because these fruits are not in direct contact with soil, irrigation water, or organic fertilizers and thus were considered relatively safe. Therefore, an improved understanding of the origin and spread of human pathogens on tree fruits is needed. The purpose of this symposium is to educate the scientific community on the prevalence, contamination level, risks, routes of contamination, behavior, persistence and control of human pathogens on select tree fruits.

Presentations