20165118125403

Foodborne illness outbreaks associated with contaminated produce negatively impact public health, consumer confidence, the produce industry's economic well-being, and progress toward national nutritional goals.

Current capability to eliminate pathogens during processing, without compromising quality, is very limited.

Thus, industry critically needs technologies to prevent pathogen proliferation and cross-contamination/spread, while retaining the organoleptic and nutritional qualities of fresh produce.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule for preventive controls for human food requires processors to evaluate food safety hazards; identify and implement preventive controls; and monitor performance of such controls.

While industry has made significant progress to prepare for FSMA implementation, critical data gaps significantly hinder FSMA implementation during fresh and fresh-cut produce handling.

Taking a systematic approach, we will focus on several critical steps during produce post-harvest handling, where risk factors profoundly impact food safety, and controls are also feasible.

Specifically, we will partner with industry to 1) develop and validate preventive controls to minimize food safety risks during tomato packing, and fresh-cut leafy green vegetable processing; 2) evaluate food safety and quality impact, as well as cost-benefit of a novel and transformative wash process; 3) advance scientific understanding of produce washing and sanitizing processes, and develop novel technologies to improve efficacy; 4) field test an energy-efficient approach to improve temperature control and thus US Food Code compliance at what is currently one of the weakest links in the cold chain--retail store display; and 5) develop and launch a strong outreach program to stakeholders to support translation of scientific information into actionable steps and technology adoption.

We received strong industry support during the development of this project, with critical in-kind commitments for the planned research studies, including access to a pilot plant, commercial processing facilities, and retail stores.

Our continuous industrial interaction will accelerate technology adoption.

Project outcomes will enable development, validation, and adoption of science- and risk-based food safety standards and control limits, support FSMA implementation, and benefit consumers, processors, packers, and retailers.

Expected significant reductions in pathogen contamination will reduce foodborne illness outbreaks, restore and maintain consumer confidence in tomatoes and fresh-cut leafy greens, promote sustained industry growth, and, in the long term, improve public health by increasing consumption of fresh produce.

Agricultural Research Service

NOT APPLICABLE

10.309 - Specialty Crop Research Initiative

Institute of Food Production and Sustainability (IFPS) [USDA - NIFA]

Beltsville, Maryland 20705 United States

Single Zip Code

NOT APPLICABLE

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 08/31/21 to 08/31/24 and the total obligations have decreased 3% from $3,683,590 to $3,590,128.