Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 7, 2005
Publication Date: June 15, 2005
Citation: Niemira, B.A. 2005. Alternative technologies for food safety. Brazilian Association for Food Protection Annual Meeting, June 13-14 2005, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Technical Abstract: Food borne illnesses resulting from bacterial contamination are of increasing concern. A variety of new technologies have been proposed for the treatment of meats, eggs, fruits, vegetables and ready-to-eat products. The development of non-thermal processing technologies has been the subject of particular effort. Techniques such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field and irradiation have a relatively large body of supporting literature to describe their effect on pathogenic and storage bacteria, as well as on the sensory and nutritional qualities of treated foods. Other technologies, such as cold plasma, are less well explored in the context of food safety. This presentation will provide an overview of these technologies, and will discuss the advantages and shortcomings of each, as well as identify critical areas where more research is needed.