There are limited amount of interventions that have been shown to be effective against E. coli O157:H7 on berry crops that do not cause quality defects to the berries. The importance of testing of soil and use of potable water prior to harvest are supported by the results of the present study. These results also reinforce the importance of preventing contamination onto the plants closer to the time of harvesting. E. coli survived within the soil, on the leaves, and
on the strawberries throughout the growing seas