High Pressure Processing
of Fresh Cut Fruits and Juices Application Brief
HPP Technology: Food Safety, Extended Shelf Life and All Natural
As consumer demand for the convenience
and health benefits of fresh all-natural cut
fruit, vegetable products and juices has increased,
so have expectations that these
products be safe and maintain their sensory
properties. Heat treatment and other processes
typically destroy vitamins, and change
the taste, not to mention other sensory properties,
including appearance, natural texture
and nutritional value.
High-pressure processing (HPP), a mainstream
pre- or post-package process, leaves
fresh cut fruits, vegetables and juices tasting
just like freshly cut or squeezed. With
HPP, fresh product is subjected to very high
pressures (up to 87,000 psi), for less than
three minutes resulting in the inactivation of
harmful pathogens and spoilage organisms,
including yeast and mold.
The results of published studies and those
by Avure Technologies confirmed that the
use of HPP on fresh cut fruits and juices can
achieve the FDA HACCP requirement of a 5
log reduction of microorganisms — results
that have been replicated by a study done by
Health Canada on the same pathogens*. The
FDA (5-LOG HACCP Rule), Health Canada
and other federal regulators have approved
HPP for use as a pathogen reduction process
in these products (Figures 1 and 2) and other
food categories as well, including ready to
eat meats, seafood and shellfish, and wet
salads and dips.