Published by: Sarah Belamide
Date Published: September 5, 2024
Time Published: 10:15 AM
A study conducted by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) revealed a higher presence of Escherichia coli, often referred to as E. coli, in vegetables from urban farms than in those available in wet markets during the peak of the pandemic.
The researchers tested 419 vegetable samples from urban farms and four major wet markets in Metro Manila, of which 13.60% were revealed to have E. coli—with a higher presence from urban farms.
This high level of E. coli can be attributed to several reasons, one of which is the inadequate post-harvest processing.
In an interview, urban farmer Alynna Prado mentioned that she uses utility water to irrigate her vegetables. However, there are instances when she also uses stored rainwater.
"Minsan kasi 'pag walang tubig dun kami umaano... 'Pag meron kaming naiimbak na tubig na sa drum, 'yun ang ginagamit namin," she said.
E. coli is usually found in the feces of humans and animals, and while most of its kind pose no threat, some can still lead to diseases such as gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and dysentery.
Scientists have also mentioned that contamination of water and soil where vegetables grow can also be caused by roaming animals in urban farms, such as dogs, cats, and chickens.
However, according to Pierangeli Vital of the UPD-CS Natural Sciences Research Institute, diseases related to E. coli can be prevented by proper food handling and cooking.
“Proper handling and cooking must be practiced at home, which involves simple steps such as thoroughly washing hands and kitchenware as well as disinfecting table surfaces when preparing food, using clean water when washing vegetables, effectively separating cooked and raw foods, and storing food the right way,” Vital said in their release.
Bacterial infections stood as the second leading cause of death worldwide in 2019. They were responsible for 7.7 million deaths, accounting for 13.6% of the total number.
The study of Vital et al. was published in the peer-reviewed Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, titled, "Thermotolerant Escherichia coli contamination in vegetables from selected urban farms and wet markets in Metro Manila, Philippines at the height of COVID-19 pandemic."
REFERENCES:
Ferreras, V. (2024, August 27). UP researchers detect high E.coli presence in urban farm vegetables. GMA Integrated News. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/918386/up-researchers-detect-high-e-coli-presence-in-urban-farm-vegetables/story/
Lee, I. (2024, August 30). E.coli found in some Metro Manila vegetables: UP study. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/8/30/e-coli-found-in-some-metro-manila-vegetables-up-study-1507
Philippines: UP researchers detect high E.coli presence in urban farm vegetables. (2024, August 28). Tridge. https://www.tridge.com/news/up-researchers-detect-highnbspecolinbspprese-obmhmp
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