With fresh produce identified as a significant source of contaminants, Improving the Safety of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables reviews research on identifying and controlling hazards and its implications for food processors. Addressing major hazards, including pathogens and pesticide residues, the text discusses ways of controlling these hazards through techniques such as HACCP and risk assessment. It analyzes the range of decontamination and preservation processes, from alternatives to hypochlorite washing systems and ozone decontamination to good practice in storage and transport. With an international team of contributors, this is an invaluable reference for those in the fruit and vegetable industry.

Irradiation for Quality Improvement, Microbial Safety and Phytosanitation of Fresh Produce presents the last six and a half decades of scientific information on the topic. This book emphasizes proven advantages of ionizing irradiation over the commonly used postharvest treatments for improving postharvest life of fresh fruits and vegetables to enhance their microbial safety. This reference is intended for a wide range of scientists, researchers, and students in the fields of plant diseases and postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables. It is a means for disease control to promote food safety and quality for the food industry and can be used in food safety and agriculture courses. - Discusses pathogen resistance to common chemical synthetic compounds - Presents up-to-date research and benefits of phytosanitary irradiation - Includes comprehensive research for alternative treatments for postharvest disease control - Provides the non-residual feature of ionizing radiation as a physical means for disease control to produce chemical free foods

The safety of fresh meat continues to be a major concern for consumers. As a result, there has been a wealth of research on identifying and controlling hazards at all stages in the supply chain. Improving the safety of fresh meat reviews this research and its implications for the meat industry.Part one discusses identifying and managing hazards on the farm. There are chapters on the prevalence and detection of pathogens, chemical and other contaminants. A number of chapters discuss ways of controlling such hazards in the farm environment. The second part of the book reviews the identification and control of hazards during and after slaughter. There are chapters both on contamination risks and how they can best be managed. The range of decontamination techniques available to meat processors as well as such areas as packaging and storage are examined.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Improving the safety of fresh meat is a standard reference for the meat industry. - Learn how to identify and control hazards at all stages in the supply chain - An authoritative reference on reducing microbial and other hazards in raw and fresh red meat - Understand the necessity for effective intervention at each production process

Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technologies and Mechanisms for Safety Control covers conventional and emerging technologies in one single source to help industry professionals maintain and enhance nutritional and sensorial quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables from a quality and safety perspective. The book provides available literature on different approaches used in fresh-cut processing to ensure safety and quality. It discusses techniques with the aim of preserving quality and safety in sometimes unpredictable environments. Sanitizers, antioxidants, texturizers, natural additives, fortificants, probiotics, edible coatings, active and intelligent packaging are all presented. Both advantages and potential consequences are included to ensure microbial safety, shelf-life stability and preservation of organoleptic and nutritional quality. Industry researchers, professionals and students will all find this resource essential to understand the feasibility and operability of these techniques in modern-day processing to make informed choices. - Provides current information on microbial infection, quality preservation, and technology with in-depth discussions on safety mechanisms - Presents ways to avoid residue avoidance in packaging and preservation - Includes quality issues of microbial degradation and presents solutions for pre-harvest management

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.

Because they meet the needs of today’s consumers, fresh-cut plant products are currently one of the hottest commodities in the food market of industrialized countries. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than the correspondent intact produce. The main purpose of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technology, Physiology, and Safety is to provide helpful guidelines to the industry for minimizing deterioration, keeping the overall quality, and lengthening the shelf life. It provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach for accomplishing the challenges, where raw materials, handling, minimal processing, packaging, commercial distribution, and retail sale must be well managed. It covers technology, physiology, quality, and safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. In this book, the chapters follow a logical sequence analyzing most of the important factors affecting the main characteristics of fresh-cut horticultural products. The most relevant technologies to prevent deterioration and improve final overall quality of fresh-cut commodities are described in detail. This book covers the basics of the subject from quality preservation, nutritional losses, physiology, and safety to industry-oriented advancements in sanitization, coatings, and packaging. It examines such novel preservation technologies as edible coatings, antimicrobial coatings, natural antimicrobials, gum arabic coatings, and pulsed light treatments. Minimal processing design and industrial equipment are also reviewed. With its international team of contributors, this book will be an essential reference work both for professionals involved in the postharvest handling of fresh-cut and minimally processed fruits and vegetables and for academic and researchers working in the area.

Fruit and vegetables are both major food products in their own right and key ingredients in many processed foods. There has been growing research on their importance to health and techniques to preserve the nutritional and sensory qualities desired by consumers. This major collection summarises some of the key themes in this recent research.Part one looks at fruit, vegetables and health. There are chapters on the health benefits of increased fruit and vegetable consumption, antioxidants and improving the nutritional quality of processed fruits. Part two considers ways of managing safety and quality through the supply chain. A number of chapters discuss the production of fresh fruit and vegetables, looking at modelling, the use of HACCP systems and ways of maintaining postharvest quality. There are also two chapters on instrumentation for measuring quality. Two final chapters look at maintaining the safety and quality of processed fruit and vegetables. Part three reviews technologies to improve fruit and vegetable products. Two chapters consider how to extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables during cultivation. The following three chapters then consider how postharvest handling can improve quality, covering minimal processing, new modified atmosphere packaging techniques and the use of edible coatings. Two final chapters discuss two major recent technologies in processing fruit and vegetables: high pressure processing and the use of vacuum technology.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Fruit and vegetable processing provides an authoritative review of key research on measuring and improving the quality of both fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. - Reviews recent research on improving the sensory, nutritional and functional qualities of fruit and vegetables, whether as fresh or processed products - Examines the importance of fruits and vegetables in processed foods and outlines techniques to preserve the nutritional and sensory qualities desired by consumers - Discusses two major technologies in processing fruits and vegetables: high pressure processing and the use of vacuum technology