In June 2018, the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, (1.1.2019 Finnish Food Authority), launched a joint research project with the National Institute for Health and Welfare THL on the subject The occurrence of Legionella bacteria in circular economy products (LEGISAFE2), with EUR 72,000 funding from the Ministry of the Environment’s Programme to promote the recycling of nutrients and improve the ecological status of the Archipelago Sea. The project is part of the implementation of the Government’s key project Breakthrough to a circular economy and adoption of clean solutions.
Objective of the LEGISAFE2 project
The objective is to promote the realization of a circular economy, taking into account the quality and safety requirements of fertilizer products.
The project studies the occurrence of Legionella bacteria in various organic fertilizer products, along with evaluation of the effects of manufacturing process, post-contamination and product storage on the occurrence of Legionella.
The project aims to determine handling methods that will minimise risks, draw the attention of groups at risk, such as manufacturers and end users, to the issue and instruct for safe handling of products during manufacturing and use.
Ultimately, the study should result in safer recycled fertilizer products or, at minimum, instructions to improve the safety of their use.
Finnish Food Authority’s partners in the project are
- The National Institute for Health and Welfare THL
- Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY
- Soilfood Oy
- Gasum Oy
- Biolan Oy
- Kekkilä Oy
Further information on the project:
- Liisa Maunuksela, Research Director, PhD, Finnish Food Authority, mobile +358 400 256 097
- Jaana Kusnetsov, Senior Researcher, PhD, National Institute for Health and Welfare, mobile +358 29 524 6347