The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $300,000 grant to a University of Arkansas research project that aims to develop best practices for controlling pests and pathogens in soilless substrate used in hydroponic lettuce production.

A recent study comparing the presence of chemical contaminants in conventionally and hydroponically grown produce found pesticide residues and toxic heavy metals in a larger number of conventional samples than in hydroponic samples. Phthalate levels were consistent between conventional and hydroponic samples.

Controlled environment agriculture can help meet food requirements of the future, but this objective must be achieved by specific processes that minimize negative impacts on the environment and place food safety front and center.

During National Food Safety Education Month, the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) will be hosting a free, three-part webinar series on produce safety in hydroponic and aquaponic operations.

Edible Garden has partnered with government and academic institutions in two studies: one to study the food safety potential of nanobubble technology in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and one to work towards identifying sources of fresh produce contamination and mitigation strategies.

The questions about the safety of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) are complicated. This article outlines why CEA safety depends on understanding and properly addressing the challenges of combining agricultural and ready-to-eat (RTE) into a single facility. It also addresses why CEA is not inherently safe. Ultimately, this article will show how the risk profile of CEA must be compared to that of other RTE produce and that there is no universal answer to the question of CEA safety.

The University of Vermont Extension’s Northeast Center to Advance food Safety (UVM’s NECAFS) has released a series of factsheets on produce safety in hydroponic and aquaponic operations for educators, regulators, and producers. The new factsheets guide readers through produce safety considerations specific to hydroponic and aquaponic operations.

Key Technology has introduced its VERYX® digital sorters for fresh-cut, hydroponically grown leafy greens.