The Produce Contamination Problem

Understanding the causes and contributing factors leading to outbreaks of food-borne illness associated with contamination of fresh produce is a worldwide challenge for everyone from the growers of fresh-cut produce through the entire production and delivery process. The premise of The Produce Contamination Problem is that when human pathogen contamination of fresh produce occurs, it is extremely difficult to reduce pathogen levels sufficiently to assure microbiological safety with the currently available technologies. A wiser strategy would be to avoid crop production conditions that result in microbial contamination to start. These critical, problem-oriented chapters have been written by researchers active in the areas of food safety and microbial contamination during production, harvesting, packing and fresh-cut processing of horticultural crops, and were designed to provide methods of contamination avoidance. Coverage includes policy and practices in the United States, Mexico and Central America, Europe, and Japan. Addresses food-borne contaminations from a prevention view, providing proactive solutions to the problems Covers core sources of contamination and methods for identifying those sources Includes best practice and regulatory information

Microbiological Problems of Traditional (Ethnic) Foods Samir A. M. Mahgoub This book is organized into three sections beginning with an introduction in which the problem is described in terms of the number and size of produce related outbreaks. The second section is materials and methods. In the third section, preventing growth of bacteria is examined. Understanding the causes and contributing factors leading to outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with contamination of meat products continues to be a worldwide challenge for everyone-from the growers of ready to eat produce through the entire production and delivery process. Additionally, researchers are facing an increased challenge to develop means of preventing these foodborne illness occurrences. The premise of The Produce Contamination Problem is that once human pathogen contamination of ready to eat products has occurred, it is extremely difficult to reduce pathogen levels sufficiently to assure microbiological safety with the currently available technologies based on traditional process. A wiser strategy would be to avoid meat production and handling conditions that result in microbial contamination to start.

This book gives the food scientist a thorough understanding of the physical and chemical processes involved in spoilage and food safety.

Microbial Contamination and Food Degradation, Volume 10 in the Handbook of Food Bioengineering series, provides an understanding of the most common microbial agents involved in food contamination and spoilage, and highlights the main detection techniques to help pinpoint the cause of contamination. Microorganisms may cause health-threatening conditions directly by being ingested together with contaminated food, or indirectly by producing harmful toxins and factors that can cause food borne illness. This resource discusses the potential sources of contamination, the latest advances in contamination research and strategies to prevent contamination using key methods of analysis and evaluation. Presents modern alternatives for avoiding microbial spoilage and food degradation using preventative and intervention technologies Provides key methods for addressing microbial contamination and preventing food borne illness through research and risk assessment analysis Includes detailed information on bacterial contamination problems in different environmental environments and the methodologies to help solve those problems

Problems linked with pathogens in fresh produce, including the associated public health and trade implications, have been reported in a number of countries worldwide. Furthermore, from 1980 to 2004, the global production per annum of fruit and vegetablesgrew by 94% and they are a critical component of a healthy diet. Reported outbreaks associated with leafy vegetables and herbs have been notable for the wide geographical distribution of the contaminated products, the high numbers of consumers exposed and thus the large number of cases. This meeting addressed the pathways for contamination, survival and persistence of microbiological hazards associated with leafy vegetables and herbs, and the potential management options from primary production through to the consumer.--Publisher's description.

An overview of farm-to-fork safety in the preharvest realm Foodborne outbreaks continue to take lives and harm economies, making controlling the entry of pathogens into the food supply a priority. Preharvest factors have been the cause of numerous outbreaks, including Listeria in melons, Salmonella associated with tomatoes, and Shiga toxin-producing E.coli in beef products, yet most traditional control measures and regulations occur at the postharvest stage. Preharvest Food Safety covers a broad swath of knowledge surrounding topics of safety at the preharvest and harvest stages, focusing on problems for specific food sources and food pathogens, as well as new tools and potential solutions. Led by editors Siddhartha Thakur and Kalmia Kniel, a team of expert authors provides insights into critical themes surrounding preharvest food safety, including Challenges specific to meat, seafood, dairy, egg, produce, grain, and nut production Established and emerging foodborne and agriculture-related pathogens Influences of external factors such as climate change and the growing local-foods trend Regulatory issues from both US and EU perspectives Use of pre- and probiotics, molecular tools, mathematical modeling, and one health approaches Intended to encourage the scientific community and food industry stakeholders to advance their knowledge of the developments and challenges associated with preharvest food safety, this book addresses the current state of the field and provides a diverse array of chapters focused on a variety of food commodities and microbiological hazards.

Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Second Edition is the most comprehensive guide on vegetable technology for processors, producers, and users of vegetables in food manufacturing.This complete handbook contains 42 chapters across two volumes, contributed by field experts from across the world. It provides contemporary information that brings together current knowledge and practices in the value-chain of vegetables from production through consumption. The book is unique in the sense that it includes coverage of production and postharvest technologies, innovative processing technologies, packaging, and quality management. Handbook of Vegetables and Vegetable Processing, Second Edition covers recent developments in the areas of vegetable breeding and production, postharvest physiology and storage, packaging and shelf life extension, and traditional and novel processing technologies (high-pressure processing, pulse-electric field, membrane separation, and ohmic heating). It also offers in-depth coverage of processing, packaging, and the nutritional quality of vegetables as well as information on a broader spectrum of vegetable production and processing science and technology. Coverage includes biology and classification, physiology, biochemistry, flavor and sensory properties, microbial safety and HACCP principles, nutrient and bioactive properties In-depth descriptions of key processes including, minimal processing, freezing, pasteurization and aseptic processing, fermentation, drying, packaging, and application of new technologies Entire chapters devoted to important aspects of over 20 major commercial vegetables including avocado, table olives, and textured vegetable proteins This important book will appeal to anyone studying or involved in food technology, food science, food packaging, applied nutrition, biosystems and agricultural engineering, biotechnology, horticulture, food biochemistry, plant biology, and postharvest physiology.