Elevate Food Hygiene Standards with PURE Bioscience

Problem‍

A major strawberry processor faced challenges in controlling pathogens, specifically Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, on the surface of their produce. Traditional sanitation methods were insufficient for achieving the required log reductions, leading to concerns about food safety and product quality.

Solution‍

The processor implemented PURE Bioscience’s PURE Control, a produce wash solution containing Silver Dihydrogen Citrate (SDC). The wash was applied using an innovative misting system at a low concentration of 15 ppm, ensuring effective coverage with minimal chemical use. Strawberries were treated for 15 and 30 seconds, and pathogen levels were monitored post-treatment to assess the efficacy of PURE Control in reducing contamination.

Result‍

The treatment achieved significant reductions in pathogens. For samples inoculated with Salmonella spp., reductions of 2.71 log10 CFU/sample after 15 seconds and 3.00 log10 CFU/sample after 30 seconds were observed. Listeria monocytogenes reductions were even higher, with 3.33 log10 CFU/sample after 15 seconds and 3.78 log10 CFU/sample after 30 seconds. These results exceeded the industry-standard minimum log reduction of 2.0, demonstrating PURE Control’s superior effectiveness in pathogen control. By using PURE’s low-ppm, cost-effective solution, the processor not only ensured food safety but also optimized operational efficiency.