The Cost and Effectiveness of Pre-Harvest Interventions in Beef Cattle

Abstract

Because cattle have been identified as a reservoir for foodborne pathogens, interest has grown in developing interventions to reduce levels of pathogens at the producer level (pre-harvest).  Several pre-harvest interventions have been identified as potentially effective for reducing pathogen levels in animals, yet no comparative research has been done comparing the cost and effectiveness of different interventions.  This article provides a current assessment of existing interventions for their effectiveness and economic costs and suggests where additional evaluation is needed to continue to improve pre-harvest food safety in the beef industry.