Not flood water • Pooled water in a field caused by rain or a problem with an irrigation system
Flood water • Water entering a field from open water sources outside of the grower’s control • Overflow from runoff
Runoff ditch
Runoff ditch
Hill
Slope-generated flow Does it cross a point source?
Ag water distribution system
Ag water distribution system
Irrigation canal
Irrigation canal
River or creek overflow
DiCaprio, Erin. A Brief Overview of On-Farm Food Safety Management Following Flooding. Feb. 2023. PowerPoint Presentation (wga.s3.amazonaws.com).
recommendations are to wait 30-60 days to allow the soil to dry out. This wait period can be shortened through soil testing, allowing growers to plant earlier. 6. What labs and methods can I use for soil testing? Contact local labs to determine if soil testing services are provided and to confirm they are using validated methods. Review internal lab protocols where applicable. For example, if AOAC validated methods are not available, review the lab’s internal validation protocols. Work with your lab to determine how to collect your soil sample. 7. When should a soil sample be collected post-flooding? How long should I wait before collecting a soil sample? Growers should allow the soil to sufficiently dry before collecting a soil sample. Growers can work the soil to expedite the drying process. Equipment used to work the soil should be properly sanitized after use to prevent cross contamination. 8. Can I divert my flooded crop to animal feed? a. In certain cases, yes. Crops must be
tested for mold, bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals. Contact the public affairs specialists located at your nearest FDA field office for more information. 9. What are the possible contaminants in floodwater? Flood water may contain: • Microbiological pathogens • Chemical contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, petroleum products) • Sewage from nearby treatment plants Although organic production wasn’t specifically covered in this webinar, here are some commonly asked questions related to the impact of flooding to organic crops. Are certified organic lands no longer organic after inundation? Any parcels flooded will maintain their certification until surrendered, suspended, or revoked. Crops on the parcel may not be eligible for sale as organic if prohibited materials were in the flood water. What needs to be done to re-certify organic land after flood inundation? Growers whose farms have been flooded and are concerned that prohibited materials may have been in the flood waters should notify their certifier as
soon as possible. Certifiers will work with growers to determine the potential for contamination and next steps. In general, certifiers view unintended water from flood as a drift situation and would require that any contaminated crop not be sold as organic but most likely there would not be a requirement for a three-year transition. However, corrective actions should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to make that determination. What about food safety concerns with this inundation, such as the introduction of feces to waters, that may impact microbial loads (e.g., E. coli outbreaks associated with crop)? All crops directly contacting flood waters and 30 ft. around cannot be harvested for human consumption, and growers can’t replant for 60 days unless soil test results can determine it’s free from pathogens—then growers must wait 30 days before replanting. What should I do if I am unclear about next steps with my organic crop post-flooding? Growers should contact their certifier and provide details about their specific situation. Certifier representatives will provide guidance that is specific to each situation.
MARCH | APRIL 2023
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Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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