“Nanosized” droplets of electrically charged water have been shown to inactivate pathogens on the surface of food and could one day become an environmentally friendly way to make food safer. That’s according to a study from researchers at Harvard University published in Environmental Science and Technologyand reported on by Chemical & Engineering News. The researchers say that if the technique can be improved, charged droplets of water could be a sustainable replacement to current methods of fruit and vegetable disinfection, which include applying mild bleaches, peroxides, and other chlorine-based solutions. Depending on the type of pathogen, the duration of the exposure, and the surface or food where the pathogen was located, laboratory tests showed that the charged water could eliminate anywhere from 80 to 98 percent of E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. The treatment works by spraying aerosolized water through an electrical field, resulting in charged droplets roughly 25 nanometers in diameter. A strong enough electrical charge will increase the droplet’s surface tension to the point of preventing evaporation. Sensory tests showed that the charged water did not alter the taste or texture of any foods tested. The downside: Current regulation typically requires a 99.999-percent elimination of bacterial loads for similar treatments. The charged water method would need to produce more consistent results — and do so more quickly — to become a viable option for the food industry.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
Industrial poultry farming has played a role in the spread of Campylobacter, according to researchers.
Scientists from the Ineos Oxford Institute found that the chicken host environment may drive the
Ten Latin American countries are taking part in a project to strengthen their national food safety systems through risk analysis, with one of the leading entities being a U.S.
Hygiene and allergen concerns have been raised as part of research into delivery-only food firms operating through online platforms.
Dark kitchens are businesses that offer food for delivery through
Poor hygiene, unsafe food handling practices, and a reliance on untrained food handlers may be placing vulnerable patients at some psychiatric hospitals at risk of foodborne illnesses, according to researchers
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for Curry Chicken Salad because of concerns that the product may be contaminated with
529 Commerce LLC of Parkland, FL, is recalling 3,860 units of its 4 ounce and 12 ounce packages of its Rooted in Rare brand Aquafaba Powder because the product
In relation to an outbreak of E. Coli infections, the Publix grocery store chain is recalling organic GreenWise imported frozen berries.
The outbreak has sickened 12 people in Florida and
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is alerting the public to a significant increase in Salmonella cases and asking people to be aware of the symptoms.
As of
