United Fresh: New cantaloupe research to be presented in Dallas
New research on cantaloupe safety will be presented at United Fresh 2012 in Dallas, according to information released by United Fresh.
On Wednesday, May 2, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., United’s David E. Gombas, ph.D., senior vice president of food safety and technology, will moderate “Cantaloupe Safety Update: Preventive Controls and Post-Harvest Handling.”
The program will review industry efforts to share best practices among cantaloupe growers, while also providing updates on lab and on-farm studies to assist in the design and implementation of preventive controls and postharvest interventions.
In addition, two cantaloupe-related posters – “Development of the Low Temperature Thermal Treatment (LT3) Process to Sanitize Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe” and “Surface Decontamination Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Shelf Life of Cantaloupes” – will be available for viewing when the show floor is open May 1-3. Researchers will also be available to discuss their work from 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 1 and 2.
The program will also include an update on the produce industry’s efforts to develop new guidance on cantaloupe food safety. Meeting in weekly webinars, a group of experts from academia, industry and government are working toward an Aug. 1 deadline for completing the initial draft.
For more information on the development of the cantaloupe food safety guidelines, contact Gombas or Ray Gilmer, vice president of communications, at 202-303-3400. To join in the cantaloupe food safety session in Dallas, participants must be registered to attend United Fresh 2012.
