The problem of creating microbiologically-safe food with an acceptable shelf-life and quality for the consumer is a constant challenge for the food industry. Microbial decontamination in the food industry provides a comprehensive guide to the decontamination problems faced by the industry, and the current and emerging methods being used to solve them.Part one deals with various food commodities such as fresh produce, meats, seafood, nuts, juices and dairy products, and provides background on contamination routes and outbreaks as well as proposed processing methods for each commodity. Part two goes on to review current and emerging non-chemical and non-thermal decontamination methods such as high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric fields, irradiation, power ultrasound and non-thermal plasma. Thermal methods such as microwave, radio-frequency and infrared heating and food surface pasteurization are also explored in detail. Chemical decontamination methods with ozone, chlorine dioxide, electrolyzed oxidizing water, organic acids and dense phase CO2 are discussed in part three. Finally, part four focuses on current and emerging packaging technologies and post-packaging decontamination.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Microbial decontamination in the food industry is an indispensable guide for all food industry professionals involved in the design or use of novel food decontamination techniques, as well as any academics researching or teaching this important subject. Provides a comprehensive guide to the decontamination problems faced by the industry and outlines the current and emerging methods being used to solve them Details backgrounds on contamination routes and outbreaks, as well as proposed processing methods for various commodities including fresh produce, meats, seafood, nuts, juices and dairy products Sections focus on emerging non-chemical and non-thermal decontamination methods, current thermal methods, chemical decontamination methods and current and emerging packaging technologies and post-packaging decontamination

Food is contaminated in the production chain and is the point of concern among the consumers and industries. There is also a considerable increase in foodborne outbreaks, which possess the challenge to industry associated with the production of processed food. Various strategies are used to prevent the contamination during postharvest stage, storage and distribution. Different methods are exploited for degrading or eliminating the microbial contamination from food commodities. The conventional techniques used for decontamination demanded a considerable requirement for novel technologies, which are efficient, environmental friendly, and cost-effective. Novel technologies efficiently remove the contamination without adversely affecting the nutritional properties and sensory characteristics of food material. There is a lack of scientific information on the microbial decontamination of different food commodities such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, sprouts, microgreens, meat, poultry, milk, nut, spices etc. under one umbrella. The application of conventional and novel technologies for improving the food safety of individual food commodities will be addresses in this book. Written by several experts in the field, this book is a valuable source for students, scientists, and professionals in food science, food microbiology, food technology, food processing, and other allied sciences.

Attempts to provide safer and higher quality fresh and minimally processed produce have given rise to a wide variety of decontamination methods, each of which have been extensively researched in recent years. Decontamination of Fresh and Minimally Processed Produce is the first book to provide a systematic view of the different types of decontaminants for fresh and minimally processed produce. By describing the different effects – microbiological, sensory, nutritional and toxicological – of decontamination treatments, a team of internationally respected authors reveals not only the impact of decontaminants on food safety, but also on microbial spoilage, vegetable physiology, sensory quality, nutritional and phytochemical content and shelf-life. Regulatory and toxicological issues are also addressed. The book first examines how produce becomes contaminated, the surface characteristics of produce related to bacterial attachment, biofilm formation and resistance, and sublethal damage and its implications for decontamination. After reviewing how produce is washed and minimally processed, the various decontamination methods are then explored in depth, in terms of definition, generation devices, microbial inactivation mechanisms, and effects on food safety. Decontaminants covered include: chlorine, electrolyzed oxidizing water, chlorine dioxide, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, essential oils and edible films and coatings. Other decontamination methods addressed are biological strategies (bacteriophages, protective cultures, bacteriocins and quorum sensing) and physical methods (mild heat, continuous UV light, ionizing radiation) and various combinations of these methods through hurdle technology. The book concludes with descriptions of post-decontamination methods related to storage, such as modified atmosphere packaging, the cold chain, and modeling tools for predicting microbial growth and inactivation. The many methods and effects of decontamination are detailed, enabling industry professionals to understand the available state-of-the-art methods and select the most suitable approach for their purposes. The book serves as a compendium of information for food researchers and students of pre- and postharvest technology, food microbiology and food technology in general. The structure of the book allows easy comparisons among methods, and searching information by microorganism, produce, and quality traits.

This brief reports about safety protocols in the food producing industry. Hygiene, i.e., the prevention of contamination and microbial infections, is of greatest importance in the industry, as are disinfection techniques, to prevent or to fight microbial contaminations and infections, and practical emerging concerns are centered around these fundamental concerns. The first part focuses on the attempts and possibilities to prevent microbial spreading. Part II discusses disinfection techniques and their risks, advantages and disadvantages. Current industry trends, such as the attempts to substitute chlorine in disinfection, are critically reviewed. In all, this brief volume discusses decision procedures and strategies that are being applied to prevent, reduce and fight microbial spreading. In particular, material that comes into contact with the foods, has to fulfill strict requirements. This aspect is explained in detail, and how little details can have great effects. The brief deals with the important question: is disinfection more an ally or an enemy?

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

This book highlights the importance of hygiene in the food industry with regard to biofilms, which can be found on the contact materials of various food production facilities, including bakery, brewing, seafood processing, and dairy and meat processing. Good hygiene practices in such facilities can prevent microbial niches and harbourage sites, facilitate cleaning and disinfection, maintain or increase product shelf-life, and improve food safety. This book provides essential information on the updated information on biofilm growth conditions, detection methods, and prevention and control strategies.