Linda J. Harris, PhD
Western Center for Food Safety & Dept. of Food Science & Technology
University of California
1477 Drew Ave, Suite 101 (WCFS), 3212 RMI South Bldg (Food Sci. & Tech), Lab: 3221 RMI South Bldg.
Davis, CA, 95616-8598
My research program is in the area of microbial food safety with a focus on the microbiology of fresh fruits and vegetables and nutmeats. My research team has worked to develop and validate standard methods for inoculation and recovery of pathogens from a range of produce items. We have used these methods to evaluate the behavior of foodborne pathogens in juices, and on fruits, vegetables and nutmeats stored under a variety of conditions. The methods have also been used to evaluate various sanitizers for their efficacy in reducing microbial populations on various cut and intact produce surfaces and to validate thermal and non-thermal processes for treating nuts.