Methods and Apparatus for Maintaining Fresh Quality and Safe Food Attributes of Minimally Processed Produce

Abstract

A system and method of maintaining the integrity of freshly harvested, or freshly cut fruits and vegetables. Specifically, the invention focuses on a distinct series of processes which confer a lower total microbial count, delay browning, improve general organoleptic properties, and decrease the amount of chemical contaminants on the exposed surfaces without the use of preservatives. Examples of such process may be applying a first produce integrity maintenance process, a second produce integrity maintenance process, application of an antibrowning agent to the produce by a produce antibrown agent applicator, exposing the produce to ultraviolet light by an ultraviolet light system, and applying an ozone treatment by an ozone treatment system.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 362,783, filed Mar. 7, 2002, herein incorporated by reference.I. BACKGROUND [0002] Generally this invention relates to a system and method of maintaining the integrity of freshly harvested, or freshly cut fruits and vegetables. Specifically, the invention focuses on a distinct series of treatments which confer a lower total microbial count, delay browning, improve general organoleptic properties, and decrease the amount of chemical contaminants on the exposed surfaces without the use of preservatives. [0003] The desire to retain the freshly harvested attributes of produce has been known by the produce, food safety, grocery and canning industries for several decades. Many types of produce, especially that having white flesh, begin to brown shortly after the fruit or vegetable is cut. In mushrooms in particular, the flesh browns as the produce ages, regardless of its having been cut. There are other dist...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] Accordingly, the present invention includes a variety of aspects or embodiments which may be selected in different combinations to suit the needs of the user. First it can function as a treatment for whole mushrooms, or whole produce which is to remain whole and sold as fresh. Further, it can function as a treatment for whole mushrooms, or produce which are to be sliced and sold as fresh, sliced mushrooms or sectioned (fresh-cut) produce. Also, it can function as a treatment for previously sliced produce. In addition, it can function as a treatment for mushroom, or produce which is to ultimately be used for canning, or further processing, either whole or sliced, such that processing can wait until such time as it is practical to process a batch without having to address issues such as browning during holding time. Perhaps also, it can function as an aid to consolidate and coordinate picking, processing and packaging such that mushrooms, can be treated in large, economical batches rather than singular type treatment as is the current practice. It does so by increasing the practical shelf life thereby extending the time in which the mushrooms must reach the marketplace. Further, it can aid mechanization of the treatment and packaging of mushrooms which are currently packaged in a manual line. By inhibiting the browning enzyme from functioning, treatments which may normally cause bruising and subsequent browning now may only cause a surface deformation. Also, the present invention serves as a ‘worker-safe’ method such that inordinate training is not required for implementation of the various treatment steps, nor are dangerous chemicals stored in the vicinity of the worker. The invention may utilize GRAS ingredients that are not extremely caustic either in concentrated, or diluted form and methodologies for which ‘easy-to-implement’ safeguards already exist, and / or may utilize treatments for which the functioning element is generated on-site and on-demand. Also, the process helps to create a safer consumable by reducing the amount of residual chemical (pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer) on the surface of the produce. The invention may be also environmentally safe, as the amount of water utilized in the process is reduced in comparison to traditional wash processes due to the recycling step and the water is free from contaminants which will harm downstream biota.

[0028] One of broad objectives of the invention is to allow mushroom farms to retrofit current equipment such that capital expenditures for implementation are minimal. One goal of the present invention may include having flexibility in the process such that treatments can be applied in a variety of manners including dip tanks and spray methods (drenching, spraying or misting). Another goal may include defining the requirements for treatment such that parameters are well understood and can be achieve through retrofitting of common mushroom treatment equipment.

[0029] Another broad objective could be treatment in such a manner that mushrooms are not broken, or otherwise damaged during processing. A goal could be to ensure maximum care will be taken to design equipment requirements such that physical handling and manipulation of the mushrooms is minimized. A further goal is to minimize the number of different treatment steps utilizing different pieces of equipment.

[0030] Additionally, one broad objective of the invention may be to minimize the time mushrooms are exposed to solution to minimize water and chemical uptake by mushrooms. One goal may include maximum utilization of treatments that are not of an aqueous nature. Another goal may be to minimize residence time in solution and maximize effectiveness of the treatment solution.

[0031] Yet another broad objective of the invention may be to minimize the cost to the processor such that the invention is commercially practical. One goal may incorporate the preservation of expensive solutions such that they can be used for multiple treatments. Another goal may include the minimization of contamination of the expensive solution. A further goal may encompass the use of minimal amounts of the most expensive solutions. Also, a goal may espouse the recycling of natural resource such as water, to minimize disposal. Yet another goal may address the use of environmentally safe products, such that disposal of treated water may be accomplished without requiring special steps, or modification of current disposal systems, or additional disposal expenses.

[0034] A further broad objective of the invention may be to render a final product which is a value-added product, having improved organoleptic properties and decreased risk of food-borne illness. One goal may encompass the use of technologies which effectively decrease human pathogens and decay related microbes on the surface of the produce. A further goal may be to efficiently minimize the impact of the enzymes and processes which induce browning.

Problems solved by technology

By inhibiting the browning enzyme from functioning, treatments which may normally cause bruising and subsequent browning now may only cause a surface deformation.

Images