Tomatoes, water star in Session I of CPS Produce Research Symposium

Tomatoes, water star in Session I of CPS Produce Research Symposium

This is the first in a five part series which will look at each session being presented in Orlando, Florida.

Davis, California, May 20, 2011-- The Center for Produce Safety's 2011 Produce Research Symposium is sure to feature a topic of interest for everyone as real-world implications of the latest produce food safety research are presented, June 28 in Orlando, Fla., USA. The latest food safety findings from the CPS research program will be discussed by researchers as facilitators lead dialogues to exchange ideas on applying those findings across the supply chain, from farm to fork.  The first session focuses on postharvest approaches to minimizing pathogen contamination. Water sanitation has been a crucial issue for several years and research presented in Session I sheds light on new wash water chemistries and intervention strategies. Specifically research on improving produce safety by stabilizing chlorine in washing solutions with high organic loads will be presented by USDA's Agricultural Research Service. The session also covers research on the optimization of postharvest intervention strategies for reducing bacterial contamination on tomatoes. The final research presentation looks at establishing critical operating standards for chlorine dioxide in disinfecting dump tanks and flume water for fresh tomatoes. These projects will be presented by scientists from the University of Florida and the University of California, Davis. "Anyone involved in produce safety should ensure they receive the latest targeted research presented in Orlando since it reflects the newest scientific knowledge requested by both industry and regulators," said Dr. Martha Roberts of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and a member of the CPS Advisory Board. "We all have the goal to prevent any illness associated with produce. Critical research is what enables us to meet that goal."

For full details on the agenda including research presentation topics and specific presenting researchers, visit CPS' website.    

The symposium will feature 16 research projects completed by scientists from eight institutions in six states. In addition to the projects presented during formal symposium sessions, 21 projects will be previewed in a poster session at the event. These projects review methods, objectives, results to date, and highlight their importance to industry.

Register here through June 27 or onsite on June 28!   

Discounted lodging rates are available until June 3 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate 

   

Contact:

Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli                    

Executive Director                                  

bfernandez@cps.ucdavis.edu               

530.757.5777 phone