> When can one be sure if cow/horse/chicken manure is free of >pathogens and safe for use as organic fertilizer? Actually, should >there be a concern at all about pathogens in manure getting into the >food chain through compost? > >Regards, > >Vara > >
I don't know how to find out if manure has pathogens or not, but I do know it
has been a problem. There was a case here in California (and in Oregon, too, I
think) a couple of years ago that you may remember. Odwalla juices had some
apple juice that was contaminated with E. coli. The contamination was a result
of contact with infected cow manure used in the production of organic apples.
Odwalla now flash pasteurizes its apple juice.
I would think that composted manure would be safer, but all I've heard
regarding this is that all fruits and vegetables should be washed before they
are eaten.