The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked for comments on proposed guidance for minimising food safety hazards in fresh-cut fruit and vegetables in response to the increased consumption of fresh-cut produce in the US.
“Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are fruits and vegetables that have been processed by peeling, slicing, chopping, shredding, coring, trimming, or mashing, with or without washing or other treatment, prior to being packaged for consumption,” explained the FDA in the document.
“The methods by which produce is grown, harvested, and processed may contribute to its contamination with pathogens and, consequently, the role of the produce in transmitting foodborne illness.”
FDA said factors such as the high degree of handling and mixing of the product, the release of cellular fluids during cutting or mashing, the high moisture content of the product, the absence of a step lethal to pathogens, and the potential for temperature abuse in the processing, storage, transport, and retail display all “enhance the potential” for pathogens to survive and grow in fresh-cut produce.
The document states FDA’s recommendations to fresh-cut produce processors about how to avoid contamination of their product with pathogens.
The guidance is in addition to the current good manufacturing practices (GMPs) provided in part 110 of FDA’s regulations, and is intended to assist fresh-cut produce processors in minimising microbial food safety hazards common to the processing of most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables sold to consumers and retail establishments in a ready-to- at form.
Accordingly, FDA encourages fresh-cut produce processors to adopt the general recommendations in the guidance and to tailor practices to their individual operations.
FDA estimates there are currently 280 fresh-cut plants in operation in the US and that approximately 10 new firms will enter the fresh-cut industry each year, over the next three years.
The FDA’s call for comments on its “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables” is available online.
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