Farm-to-Table Continuum

The Farm-to-Table Continuum is the cycle in which bacteria gets from its originating point on a farm to the kitchen table.

Farm: Shigella can spread on a farm by not keeping animal pens clean or from the food-producing animals eating and drinking contaminated food and water. Animals could step in feces and then step on food growing on the farm. Shigella could be prevented at the farm stage of the Continuum by keeping animals pens clean, making sure the animals are not eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, and by keeping the food that is grown clean.

Processing: Shigella can be spread at the processing stage by cross contaminating other foods that are being processed. It can also be spread by contaminating the equipment that is used to process foods, which will then contaminate other foods. This can be prevented by processers making sure that the foods they are processing are clean and that the equipment used during processing is cleaned regularly.

Transportation: Shigella can be spread during transportation if the transportation container or vehicle is already contaminated and not cleaned from previous shipments, if a driver or handler is contaminated, if the product was unloaded onto a contaminated surface. This can be prevented by drivers and handlers not working while they are sick, always sanitizing containers, vehicles, and surfaces between shipments and deliveries.

Retail: Shigella can be spread during retail if contaminated food is put out for sale. If someone buys the contaminated food, they bring it into their home. Shigella may also spread if handlers or surfaces such as stocking areas are contaminated, if any tools used to process, handle, or prepare are contaminated; also if foods are cross-contaminated using those same tools. Contamination can be prevented when foods are properly washed, surfaces and tools are sanitized, and handlers stay home when they are contaminated and they always wash their hands between shipments, handling, after going to the restroom, etc.

Home (Table): Shigella can be spread while at home if foods are not thoroughly washed. If someone has purchased an item that is already contaminated, they are bringing contaminated food into their home. Shigella may also spread if people do not wash their hands before handling or preparing food, after using the restroom, etc. Shigella can be prevented at home by people always washing their hands, and washing food thoroughly before usage.