The US FDA seeks to tighten food safety requirements and recommendations for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) following an outbreak of Salmonella typhimirium that was traced back to packaged salad produced at an indoor farming facility. Growing pond techniques were being used with deep water culture. While a root cause was not discovered, certain practices and conditions were identified that could result in contamination. Water collected from a storm drain adjacent to the facility contained the exact salmonella strain that contaminated the bagged salad. Salmonella typhimirium is known to cause gastroenteritis in humans and other mammals. The findings of the investigation prompted the agency to publish broader CEA guidance. Indoor farming is thought to have some advantages over traditional farming including greatly lessened pesticide residues.

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Posted on 3 February 2022