Factors affecting quality and safety of fresh-cut produce

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2012;52(7):595-610. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2010.503685.

Abstract

The quality of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products includes a combination of attributes, such as appearance, texture, and flavor, as well as nutritional and safety aspects that determine their value to the consumer. Nutritionally, fruit and vegetables represent a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and fresh-cut produce satisfies consumer demand for freshly prepared, convenient, healthy food. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than corresponding intact produce, as a result of damage caused by minimal processing, which accelerates many physiological changes that lead to a reduction in produce quality and shelf-life. The symptoms of produce deterioration include discoloration, increased oxidative browning at cut surfaces, flaccidity as a result of loss of water, and decreased nutritional value. Damaged plant tissues also represent a better substrate for growth of microorganisms, including spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens. The risk of pathogen contamination and growth is one of the main safety concerns associated with fresh-cut produce, as highlighted by the increasing number of produce-linked foodborne outbreaks in recent years. The pathogens of major concern in fresh-cut produce are Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic Escherichia coli mainly O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. This article describes the quality of fresh-cut produce, factors affecting quality, and various techniques for evaluating quality. In addition, the microbiological safety of fresh-cut produce and factors affecting pathogen survival and growth on fresh-cut produce are discussed in detail.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Escherichia coli O157 / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli O157 / isolation & purification
  • Fast Foods / adverse effects*
  • Fast Foods / analysis
  • Fast Foods / microbiology
  • Food Contamination
  • Food Handling*
  • Food Inspection / methods
  • Food Packaging
  • Food Storage
  • Foodborne Diseases / prevention & control
  • Fruit / adverse effects*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Fruit / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Listeria monocytogenes / growth & development
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification
  • Microbial Viability
  • Nutritive Value
  • Quality Control
  • Salmonella / growth & development
  • Vegetables / adverse effects*
  • Vegetables / chemistry
  • Vegetables / microbiology