Hort. Sci. (Prague), X:X | DOI: 10.17221/132/2025-HORTSCI

Hydroponics and Food Safety: Key Risks and SolutionsReview

Sachin Adhikari¹

¹ Kansas State University

Hydroponics is an innovative and sustainable approach to crop production that eliminates the need for soil by supplying plants with nutrient-enriched water solutions. However, the recirculation of nutrient solutions introduces specific microbiological risks that may compromise food safety. This review evaluates contamination pathways and examines current mitigation strategies in hydroponic systems. Various hydroponic systems, including deep water culture (DWC), nutrient film technique (NFT), drip systems, ebb-and-flow systems, wick systems, and aeroponic systems, remain vulnerable to pathogen accumulation and spread. Outbreaks associated with Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 highlight the importance of strict hygiene, continuous monitoring, and effective water treatment practices. Among available disinfection approaches, ultraviolet (UV-C, 254 nm) irradiation has emerged as a residue-free, energy-efficient alternative for nutrient solution treatment. Nevertheless, its efficacy is influenced by operational factors such as turbidity and the applied dose. The review highlights current knowledge gaps in the optimization and validation of UV-C treatment under commercial-scale conditions and underscores the importance of integrated and multi-barrier safety strategies to ensure safe and sustainable hydroponic production.

Keywords:  controlled environment agriculture; urban food systems; foodborne pathogens; UV-C; recirculating systems

Received: December 1, 2025; Revised: March 16, 2026; Accepted: May 12, 2026; Prepublished online: October 16, 2026