Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 131

When subjected to the same contamination and subsequent
sanitation as used for the commercially available knives,
the prototypes retained significantly less E. coli O157:H7
between the cutting blade and the coring ring than did the
commercially available knives with the rough welding joint.
These findings are consistent with studies in which enhanced
bacterial attachment to weld zones on food processing
equipment was found (29, 106).
Concerns about problematic construction such as roughness
and fractures of welding joints also apply to other
harvesting equipment such as mechanized harvesters and
field-packing platforms. The Produce Safety Rule requires
seams on food-contact surfaces of equipment to be either
" smoothly bonded or maintained to minimize accumulation
of dirt, filth, food particles, and organic material " (168).
Other design features such as right angles and hollow
structures (e.g., legs, conveyors, and framing) add difficulty
to cleaning and may harbor pathogens when water and debris
are collected in these structures (17, 167). In 2021, a study
on the deep cleaning of harvesting equipment was conducted
by a select group of produce processing and harvesting
companies in collaboration with industry organizations and
academic extension faculty and facilitated by an industry
vendor (37). The study findings included several areas on
a mechanical harvester (e.g., difficult-to-reach and hidden
locations beneath belts, cog wheels, framework, cutting
surfaces, bearings, support components, and tunnel flaps)
as " at-risk " for contamination that would benefit from
hygienic design improvements. The study authors called for
more testing and further coordination between harvesting
operations and equipment manufacturers " to enhance
hygienic design and sanitation processes. "
Materials used in construction
Equipment used in harvesting fresh produce may be
constructed with a variety of materials such as stainless steel,
aluminum, plastics, wood, textiles, silicone, and rubber.
Many of these materials have been the focus of research on
the ability of human pathogens to survive on surfaces (29,
31, 43, 58, 72, 94, 111, 136, 171, 181). The properties and
characteristics of materials impact pathogen survival on foodcontact
surfaces, especially the ability to form biofilms (89).
Wood has generally been considered more conducive
to pathogen survival, especially in moist and/or soiled
conditions, than other surfaces such as stainless steel (9,
181). Over the past several decades, the produce industry
has moved away from the use of wood to construct rigid,
solid food-contact surfaces in favor of other materials,
including metals and plastics. Collectively the research
related to the microbial safety of wood is inconclusive, as
revealed in an extensive review by Aviat et al. (2). These
authors cited numerous studies comparing wood and plastic
cutting boards that produced conflicting findings regarding
microbial counts over time under various conditions. In a
study of E. coli transfer from wood, corrugated fiberboard,
newly manufactured plastic, and reused plastic to apples,
wood performed better than did the other three materials for
limiting both pathogen survival on the material and transfer
to the apples (3). In a study comparing E. coli-contaminated
onions held in either wooden or plastic storage containers,
no detectable E. coli was found on onions after 6 weeks
of storage, leading the investigators to conclude that no
difference in inherent risk existed between the two types of
containers (134). In contrast, stainless steel is considered
one of the most hygienic materials for construction of foodcontact
surfaces and is frequently used in the construction
of harvesting equipment (8, 9, 18, 61, 171, 173). Foodcontact
surfaces such as conveyor belts and curtain tails on
harvesting equipment may be constructed with soft and
flexible materials such as textiles, rubber, or rubber-like
materials. Research findings related to pathogen persistence
on specific materials indicate pathogen growth and survival
may depend on environmental factors such as moisture,
ambient temperature, and relative humidity (31). Overall,
the most common finding among the majority of studies
was that consistent, properly administered cleaning methods
significantly reduced bacterial contamination on foodcontact
surfaces.
Surface cleanability
In addition to the design and the type of material used
to construct harvesting equipment, the condition of foodcontact
surfaces and of the overall equipment also affects
the ability to clean and sanitize effectively. Decades of food
industry research has indicated that microbial adhesion
to surfaces, when it occurs, requires only small amounts
of food sediment to provide nutrients and makes bacteria
more resistant to cleaning and sanitation (59, 75, 140).
Bacterial attachment to surfaces also is affected by properties
of both the material to which the bacteria adhere (145)
and the bacteria themselves (72, 180). Once they are
transferred to equipment, bacteria modify their physiology
and morphology to better adhere to a surface (72). As
part of the physiological changes that enhance attachment,
some pathogens can form biofilms, an extracellular
polymeric substance, as a means of protection from harsh
environmental conditions (27, 99, 114). It is not within
the scope of this review to cover the vast body of research
published on biofilm formation on food-contact surfaces
in the food industry; thorough reviews by Carrascosa et
al. (27), Li et al. (99), and Mevo et al. (114) have been
recently published. Recent approaches to address biofilm
contamination on equipment surfaces include novel methods
to prevent bacteria from attaching, to disperse (chemically
or enzymatically) and remove established biofilms, or to
kill resident bacteria in the biofilms (8, 49, 186). However,
physical forces applied during cleaning are very important for
biofilm removal prior to sanitation.
March/April Food Protection Trends 131

Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023

Perceptions of Risk, Control, and Responsibility Regarding Food Safety among Consumers in Lebanon
Fresh Produce Harvesting Equipment – A Review of Cleaning and Sanitizing Practices and Related Science
Assessing Physical Attributes Associated with Implementation of Risk Management Practices among Small Strawberry Farms
Evaluating Misinformation on YouTube about Washing Produce Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Minimally Processed Vegetables: Consumer Profile, Consumption Habits, and Perceptions of Microbiological Risk
Beyond the Bio
PDG Highlight
Industry Products
Letter to the Editor
Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Cover1
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Cover2
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 105
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 106
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 107
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 108
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 109
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 110
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 111
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Perceptions of Risk, Control, and Responsibility Regarding Food Safety among Consumers in Lebanon
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 113
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 114
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 115
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 116
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 117
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 118
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 119
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 120
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 121
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 122
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 123
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 124
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 125
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Fresh Produce Harvesting Equipment – A Review of Cleaning and Sanitizing Practices and Related Science
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 127
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 128
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 129
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 130
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 131
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 132
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 133
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 134
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 135
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 136
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 137
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 138
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 139
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 140
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 141
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 142
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 143
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Assessing Physical Attributes Associated with Implementation of Risk Management Practices among Small Strawberry Farms
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 145
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 146
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 147
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 148
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 149
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 150
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 151
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 152
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 153
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 154
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 155
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 156
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 157
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 158
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 159
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 160
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Evaluating Misinformation on YouTube about Washing Produce Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 162
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 163
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 164
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 165
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 166
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Minimally Processed Vegetables: Consumer Profile, Consumption Habits, and Perceptions of Microbiological Risk
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 168
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 169
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 170
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 171
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 172
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 173
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 174
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 175
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 176
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 177
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 178
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 179
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Beyond the Bio
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 181
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 182
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - PDG Highlight
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 184
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 185
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 186
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 187
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Industry Products
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 189
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 190
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 191
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 192
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Letter to the Editor
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 194
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 195
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 196
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 197
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 198
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - 199
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Cover3
Food Protection Trends - March/April 2023 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20241112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20231112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20211112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200807
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com