Postharvest

Keeping organic fruit fresh, safe from rot, foodborne pathogens studied

Increasingly popular with consumers, Washington-grown organic apples and pears thrive in the region’s dry, disease-discouraging climate. Off the tree, however, organic fruits are at the mercy of physiological disorders and fungi that can rot and... more »

New bacteria ID will help apple juice producers avoid spoilage

Apple juice lovers won’t be left with a bad taste, thanks to a new study that identifies three new bacteria species, one of which fouls up the flavor. The three new species – Alicyclobacillus mali,... more »

Project looks at impact of waxes on food safety

Food-grade waxes are applied to a number of produce items before storage and distribution to control postharvest decay and extend shelf life. While commodities such as apples and oranges receive a single waxing, lemons receive... more »

Graphic Packaging’s ProducePack reduces apple defects for BelleHarvest

Graphic Packaging International’s ProducePack, a sustainable paperboard range of packaging designed for fresh produce applications, is proving to be an effective and user-friendly solution to preserving fruit for Michigan apple distributor BelleHarvest. Following its successful... more »

Pace International adds plant-based organic coating to stone fruit portfolio

Wapato, Washington-based Pace International LLC, a provider of sustainable postharvest solutions and technologies for the fresh produce industry, announced Sept. 9 the introduction of PrimalFresh 60 Organic. PrimaFresh 60 Organic (OR) is the latest advancement... more »

Verdant’s postharvest life extension solution receives EPA registration

Verdant Technologies is rolling out its HarvestHold Fresh product life extension solution to the produce industry, after receiving EPA registration in early September. HarvestHold is a 1-MCP-based post-harvest solution that extends the usable product life... more »

Food freezing concept helps quality, increases safety, cuts energy use

Shifting to a new food freezing method could make for safer and better quality frozen foods while saving energy and reducing carbon emissions, according to a new study by USDA's Agricultural Research Service and University... more »

BioSafe Systems boosts Southeast presence with technical representative

Devin McCaffrey has joined the BioSafe Systems’ team as a new technical sales Representative for the Horticulture Division. McCaffrey is in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, and will serve the surrounding regional states including North... more »