Research studies have shown that fresh-cut products
are particularly susceptible to microbial growth
owing to the removal of plant protective tissues
(skins, etc.) and the release of cellular fluids from
cutting.3,4 The large exposed surface area of shredded
carrots causes them to be particularly vulnerable
to microbial attack, moisture loss and dehydration.
Washing is an important step that has been widely
adopted by the industry to remove microorganisms,
tissue fluids and other foreign materials.2 However,
cross-contamination of produce with microorganisms,
including human pathogens, can occur during produce
washing. The development and proper application
of sanitizing agents to remove microorganisms and
control pathogen cross-contamination effectively is
critical to ensure the quality and safety of fresh-cut
produce.