Effective physical methods to assure Food safety

This review discusses the application of physical treatments including ionizing and non-ionizing (UVC)radiation, ultrasound, electrolyzed water and cold plasma as decontamination methods to reducesurface and internal contamination of the product and to avoid cross-contamination in process washwater. Potential combinations of physical and chemical treatments are also discussed. This manuscriptshows the suitability of specific physical treatments to reduce microbial contamination of freshproduce as well as their implementation during processing of fruits and vegetables.Although most of the physical methods are able to reduce the superficial microbiota of fruits andvegetables they largely fail in eliminatinginternalizedmicroorganisms.However, we believe thatmore research andtechnological advances mightdemonstrate the suitability of these technologies forproducers and consumers in the near future.

Keywords:

ultrasound , electrolyzed water , ionizing radiation , UV-C light , atmospheric pressure coldplasma