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Bower, Jenny H., of Western Sydney Hawkesbury University, of Science Technology and Environment College, and of Science Food and Horticulture School. "The relationship between respiration rate and storage life of fresh produce." THESIS_CSTE_SFH_Bower_J.xml, 2001. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/110.
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This project examines whether there is a direct link between respiration and the rate of senescence of fresh produce. Treatments that increase the storage life of fresh products, such as cooling, modified atmospheres and semi-permeable coatings, often decrease respiration rates. This suggests that it may be possible to assess the effectiveness of a specific storage treatment in terms of its effect on reducing respiration. If this is so, total respiration during storage should sum to a constant regardless of changes in the storage conditions. Such an equivalence between 'respiration life' and storage life has been demonstrated in only a few cases. Respiration data from a wide range of published work was analysed from the viewpoint of testing this hypothesis. In general, the results were positive, with some reservations that were further investigated by experiment. In conclusion, respiration rate may be a guide to storage life for products that have clearly defined stages of senescence, and for which rots are not the primary cause of the end of acceptability. The development of the respirometer should make it possible to examine this relationship for many other commodities. However, while respiration may be a function of the rate of senescence under some circumstances, it is also affected by other factors. These include photosynthesis, attachment to the plant, and permeance to gases. Directions for future work therefore include the contribution of photosynthesis to fruit development, the effects of ethylene on respiration rates of non-climacteric fruit while attached to the plant, and interactions between ethylene synthesis and disease resistanceDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Limvorasak, Saran, and Zhiheng Xu. "Multi-echelon inventory optimization for fresh produce." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/81101.
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Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 69).
For fresh produce, the product freshness is a key value to end consumers. Retailers try to maximize product freshness at retail stores while maintaining high product availability. Fresh produce that is close to the end of its life cycle will either be scrapped or be sold at a much lower price. With an increasing demand volatility and complication of supply chain network, obsolescence cost from these spoilages has been increasing recently. Our research focuses on the study of multi-echelon inventory optimization for fresh produce. We investigated the impacts of an additional fulfillment center in a supply chain to justify an improvement in product freshness. We analyzed three relevant factors: transit time, inventory dwell time and safety time, which affect the time products spend in a supply chain from the suppliers to the retail stores. Our objective was to create a predictive model that could determine whether product freshness could be improved when those products are shipped through a supply chain network with an additional fulfillment center. While a fulfillment center increases the total transit time by adding more "touches" of the inventory, it can provide benefits by reducing demand variability through the risk pooling effect. When an fulfillment center aggregates demand from several grocery distribution centers, it pools the demand volatility across various locations, thus reducing the demand volatility and the safety stock. Our model demonstrated that, with a fulfillment center, six product categories (Berries, Watermelons, Cherries, Mixed melons, Stone fruit, and Strawberries) had a decrease in the safety time that is more than the increase in total transit time, resulting in the improved product freshness at retail stores. Further, we defined a term "Enhance Coefficient of Variation (ECV)" to quantify the demand volatility. Finally, we determined a set of minimum ECV ratios in order to make an fulfillment center benefits the product freshness under different replenishment frequencies. Retailers can use this ECV ratio as an indicator to make channeling decisions.
by Saran Limvorasak and Zhiheng Xu.
M.Eng.in Logistics
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Makino, Yoshio. "Studies on Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh Produce." Kyoto University, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/157107.
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本文データは平成22年度国立国会図書館の学位論文(博士)のデジタル化実施により作成された画像ファイルを基にpdf変換したものであるKyoto University (京都大学)
0048
新制・論文博士
博士(農学)
乙第9676号
論農博第2161号
新制||農||750(附属図書館)
学位論文||H9||N3092(農学部図書室)
UT51-97-S343
(主査)教授 松野 隆一, 教授 坂口 守彦, 教授 池田 篤治
学位規則第4条第2項該当
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FILHO, HELIO ZANQUETTO. "KEY CAPABILITIES IN THE UK FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERSHIP AS COMPLEMENTARY ELEMENTS FOR THE FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT MODEL." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2003. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=4296@1.
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COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIORNas últimas décadas, a literatura sobre Gerenciamento da Cadeia de Suprimentos (GCS) tem ressaltado a necessidade de colaboração entre os diversos atores (empresas participantes) dentro da cadeia de suprimentos (CS). Assim, as empresas necessitam de novos instrumentos para monitorar não só o seu desempenho, mas também o desempenho da cadeia como um todo. O desenvolvimento da tese está formulado segundo duas óticas. A primeira, conceitual, refere-se ao tema avaliação de desempenho na cadeia de suprimentos. A segunda, gerencial, com a escolha da cadeia para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa empírica. Nesse caso optou-se pela cadeia de alimentos (frutas e vegetais) frescos e minimamente processados do Reino Unido. Para direcionar a pesquisa, dois objetivos principais foram formulados. O primeiro consiste em comparar os elementos operacionais das parcerias da cadeia de frutas e vegetais, identificados na pesquisa empírica, com os benefícios e processos de relacionamento observados na literatura. O segundo objetivo visa formular um modelo teórico de avaliação de desempenho para a cadeia de suprimentos de alimentos frescos - MADCS. Para alcançar o primeiro objetivo, uma hipótes principal, cinco hipóteses complementares e seis questões exploratórias foram formuladas e estatisticamente testadas. O segundo objetivo foi alcançado através da formulação do MADCS utilizando-se a revisão bibliográfica em conjunto com os resultados empíricos obtidos. A pesquisa amostral (survey) foi escolhida como estratégia de pesquisa, e como instrumento de pesquisa desenvolveu-se um questionário. Foram enviados 303 questionários com retorno de 99 (32%). Para o teste das hipóteses foram utilizados os seguintes testes estatísticos: análise fatorial, teste qui-quadrado, análise da variância, regressão logística e regressão linear simples. Como conclusão dos testes estatísticos tem-se que tanto os Benefícios, quanto os Processos de Relacionamento (Individuais e Conjuntos) foram parcialmente confirmados. Com relação às hipóteses complementares, três foram estatisticamente confirmadas e em duas não havia evidências estatísticas para confirmação. Na formulação do Modelo de Avaliação de Desempenho para a Cadeia de Suprimentos (MADCS) foi identificada a necessidade de incluir a avaliação dos processos de relacionamento nos modelos até então identificados na avaliação de desempenho das parcerias.
Supply chain management (SCM) has emerged as an important strategic weapon for manufacturers seeking sustainable competitive advantage. As a result, collaboration between trading partners is replacing confrontation as the preferred approach to buyer-supplier relationships. The focus of SCM is the coordination and control of key business processes throughout the supply chain, within and between firms. As a result, researchers have sought to develop integrated models of supply chain management in which firms are treated as integral parts of four distinct flows - information, value-added products, funds and knowledge . This thesis has two main objectives: the first is to identify and to compare the partnership capabilities (benefits and processes) from the UK fresh produce industry with the benchmark indicators from the literature. The second one is to create a theoretical framework contributing to the theory of supply chain performance measurement. One main hypothesis, five complementary hypotheses and six exploratory questions were formulated in relartion to the primary research objective. In pursuit of the second objective a performance measurement model for fresh produce - MADCS was formulated. This model is supported by the performance measurement theory and by empirical results. A survey was choosen as the empirical research strategy. To capture the data 303 questionnaries were sent in February 2002 to UK fresh produce suppliers with turnover of more than £ 1 million. To test the hypotheses, chi-square, simple linear regression, factor analysis and logistics regression techniques were used. Overall, the results support the main hypothesis and three of the remaining sub-hypotheses. However, there results do not support the other two hypotheses.
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Festing, Harriet. "Direct marketing of fresh produce by small-scale farmers." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/11217.
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Hui, Ka Po Catherine 1976. "Air circulation inside refrigerated semi-trailers transporting fresh produce." Thesis, McGill University, 2001. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=32834.
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In North America, refrigerated semi-trailers are commonly used to transport large volume of produce. They are equipped with refrigeration and air circulation systems to provide an optimum transit enviromnent for the produce. Air circulation plays a vital role in maintaining produce temperature during transport. Its performance is greatly affected by the availability of air channels through and around the load.This study is an attempt to evaluate the performance of the air circulation system. Air temperature data was gathered from 20 mixed loads of produce transported in trailers having a variety of accessories and using different loading patterns. Pearson correlation coefficient was used as an indicator to describe the air distribution inside the semi-trailers. The results showed that the air distribution inside semi-trailers is generally not uniform. In most cases, the areas that received little amount of airflow were the middle section along the length and width, and the middle and bottom sections along the height of trailers. The variability in the results precluded any determination of the effect of trailer accessories and loading patterns on the air distribution.
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Tzortzakis, Nikolaos. "Atmospheric ozone-enrichment for the preservation of fresh produce." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.488658.
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The rise in the consumption of fresh produce during the last century has resulted in greater commercial demand for improved storage/transit conditions, with the aim of minimising postharvest disease proliferation and maintaining fruit quality. There is considerable current interest m ways to improve the handling and preservation of fresh iroduce, since traditional sanitizing agents fail to control many of the common pathogens.
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Gibbs, Juliette. "International strategic alliances in the UK fresh produce industry." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2003. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=21623.
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The focus of this thesis is an investigation of the key factors motivating fresh produce suppliers in the UK to form strategic alliances with producers from overseas; the process of alliance formation; and the success and development of these alliances. The UK fresh produce industry has a number of features that differentiate it from other sectors, notably its downstream channel structure, the inflexibility of supply and the lack of product differentiation. Despite these distinguishing features, there has been only a very limited amount of empirical research into strategic alliance formation in this sector. Strategic alliances have been studied from a number of theoretical perspectives. It is argued here that these provide only partial explanations for alliance formation in the fresh produce industry in particular and that a more complete understanding of firm behaviour is obtained by using a meta-theoretical approach. This is developed based on a synthesis of the resource-based view and the transaction cost perspective including social structural explanations. The scope of previous empirical research has also been limited by the weaknesses of methodologies employed, which have been overwhelmingly quantitative in nature. The research used here takes a qualitative approach based on the concepts and measures developed in previous empirical research. Frameworks are developed for both motivational and success factors. On the basis of these frameworks a number of propositions are explored and developed through the use of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 fresh produce firms in the UK. Our research provides support for the resource-based perspective as a basis for examining strategic alliance formation and success. It also highlights the importance of network theory in focusing on the opportunities to form an alliance. Trust emerges as a dominant factor in alliance formation and success.
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Williams, Karen Elizabeth. "Detection of norovirus and indicator organisms on fresh produce." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/3204.
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Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2005.Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
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Goyette, Bernard. "Hyperbaric treatment to enhance quality attributes of fresh horticultural produce." Thesis, McGill University, 2010. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:8881/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=92209.
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Beamer, Bobby G. "Internal organization and management of fresh produce marketing in retail supermarket chains : implications for marketing specialty produce /." Thesis, This resource online, 1990. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03032009-040405/.
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Fino, Viviana R. "Ultraviolet inactivation and optimized recovery strategies for viruses on fresh produce." Access to citation, abstract and download form provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company; downloadable PDF file, 102 p, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1338870521&sid=2&Fmt=2&clientId=8331&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Bower, Jenny Hazel. "The relationship between respiration rate and storage life of fresh produce /." View thesis View thesis View thesis, 2001. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030407.102152/index.html.
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Suryawanshi, Yogeshwar D. (Yogeshwar Dattatraya), and Thomas Hsien. "Multi-echelon inventory management for a fresh produce retail supply chain." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/61188.
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Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84).
Perishability presents a challenging problem in inventory management for the fresh produce industry since it can lead to higher inventory costs and lower service levels. If a supply chain has multiple echelons, that further complicates the issue since companies have an added risk of not having the right amount of product at the right location at the right time. We conduct our research on Chiquita's Fresh Express supply chain. We analyze the impact of perishability on total relevant costs. Our research focuses on determining the optimal inventory policy for the system considering inventory holding costs, shrinkage costs, lost sales costs, forecast accuracy and service levels. We test the sensitivity of the system with respect to forecast errors and the transportation lead time. We developed a discrete-event simulation model using Arena software to conduct the research. Our research demonstrates that by lowering the current target on-hand inventory levels at the distribution center and retail stores, inventory holding costs and shrinkage costs are reduced significantly. Under the optimal inventory policy, the system can save 31% in costs, improve the item fill rate at the distribution center, reduce the total shrinkage volume, and maintain high service levels of more than 95% at the retail stores. Our sensitivity analysis shows that the system is very sensitive to the forecast errors. Additionally, we recommend keeping the transportation lead time as low as possible to maximize the products' lifetime at the retail stores. Reducing the forecast errors or the transportation lead time would reduce the total relevant cost of the system while improving the item fill rates across the supply chain.
by Yogeshwar D. Suryawanshi and Thomas Hsien.
M.Eng.in Logistics
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Miyauchi, Yukiko. "Exporting Australian primary produce to Japan : the example of fresh mangoes." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1995. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/36272/1/36156_Loemker_2002.pdf.
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Prior to 1994 Japan limited its import of Australian mangoes through quarantine restrictions. However, because of the recent lifting of these restrictions, new
opportunities for the export of Australian mangoes to Japan have emerged. Thus it is important for prospective mango exporters to have access to research in this area.
To date, little research has been done on the opportunities for the export of mangoes to Japan. Such research would include looking at distribution channels in Japan for imported new fruit because these distribution channels have been regarded as the
major obstacles to the success of foreign companies exporting to Japan (Shimaguchi
& Lazer 1979; Czinkota 1985; Terstra & Sarathy 1991; Jain 1993; Keegan 1989). This thesis has focused on two areas: examining market opportunities for Australian
mangoes in Japan and examining distribution channels for imported new fresh fruit in Japan. Therefore two research problems (RP) present themselves: RP I: What are the market opportunities for Australian mangoes in Japan, based on consumer research? RP 2: What distribution channels in Japan could be considered for Australian
mangoes? For RP 1, the literature review in chapter 2 examined the Australian mango industry, the fresh fruit market in Japan, Japanese consumer preferences for fruit, change in the Japanese diet, marketing theory, and consumer research about mangoes in Australia.
Gaps in the literature were then identified and three research issues (RI) developed: RI I: How do Japanese consumers view the taste and other characteristics of
mangoes? RI 2: What are the factors affecting the popularisation of new and foreign fruit such
as mangoes, in Japan? RI 3: What are the possible bases for segmentation of the market for new and foreign
fruit such as mangoes, in Japan? Next, the literature related to the nature of a distribution channel system, the distribution system in Japan, and distribution channels available for fresh fruit in Japan
was examined. Gaps in the literature were identified and two research issues relevant to RP 2 were developed:
RI 4: What are the available distribution channels for imported new and foreign, fresh fruit? RI 5: What affects the choice of the distribution channel for imported new and foreign, fresh fruit? Data was collected using focus group methodology for RP 1 and case study
methodology for RP 2. In Japan, four focus groups were conducted and four firms were interviewed. The research methodologies are discussed in chapter 3 while the
data is analysed in chapter 4. The results of this research indicate that Japanese consumers view mangoes as foreign and new fruit. Therefore strategies for exporting this fruit could be different from those strategies for exporting fruit already familiar to the Japanese. At present, only a few studies relate to the export of new fruit to Japan. Therefore the major contribution of this research is to add to the existing literature in this area. In particular, this thesis makes several contributions for it contains:
• the first consumer research done in Japan on mangoes;
• arguably the first comprehensive exploration of consumer preferences in Japan for
fresh fruit (table 5.2) and new fresh fruit (table 5.1);
• arguably the first comprehensive model of new and foreign, fresh fruit distribution
channels in Japan emphasising the first point of entry intermediaries (figure 4.2);
• the first model for popularising new and foreign fruit (using mangoes as an example), in Japan (figure 5 .1); and
• arguably the first investigation of bases for segmentation of a market for new and foreign fruit such as mangoes in Japan
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Zamora, Ingrid Michelle. "Microbial Food Safety in the Distribution of Fresh Produce in Australia." Thesis, University of Sydney, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/27499.
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Fresh produce has been linked to numerous foodborne illness outbreaks in different regions of the world, including Australia. The current research investigates the growth and/or survival of human pathogens on fresh produce throughout the postharvest supply chain. The current research (1) synthesises published data on pathogen survival (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes) on broccoli, capsicum and cucumber stored under various storage and transport conditions; (2) tracks and generates real-time temperature and relative humidity (RH) profiles of pear, broccoli, capsicum and cucumber supply chains representative of commercial distribution systems in Eastern Australia; (3) uses the profiles to generate scenarios to simulate Australian supply chain temperatures and RH conditions on L. monocytogenes survival on whole cucumbers; and (4) explores the background microbiome on whole cucumber surfaces to give insights into the role it may play in controlling L. monocytogenes survival and improve understanding of the variation of cucumber microbiomes originating from different regions.
This research found that foodborne pathogen survival is dependent on temperature and relative humidity, produce condition (whole or sliced), and background microbiome present on the produce surface. These findings are useful for managing food safety risks during commercial postharvest distribution of whole fresh produce.
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Wong, Ka-yu Aileen. "An exploratory study on the structural change of fresh produce industry in Hong Kong and its implications on business opportunities /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1997. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B18836100.
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Han, Jaejoon. "Antimicrobial packaging system for optimization of electron beam irradiation of fresh produce." Texas A&M University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/4133.
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This study evaluated the potential use of an antimicrobial packaging system in
combination with electron beam irradiation to enhance quality of fresh produce.
Irradiated romaine lettuce up to 3.2 kGy showed negligible (p > 0.05) changes in color,
but texture and sensory attributes were less acceptable with increased dose.
We established the antimicrobial effectiveness of various active compounds
incorporated into the low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/polyamide films to increase
radiation sensitivity of surrogate bacteria (Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli). All
films showed inhibition zones in an agar diffusion test. In the liquid culture test, the
active compounds reduced the specific growth rate and decreased final cell concentration
of strains. Films incorporated with active compounds increased the radiation sensitivity
of the tested strains, demonstrating their potential to reduce the dose required to control
microbial contamination using electron beam technology. The active compounds
maintained their antimicrobial activity by exposure to ionizing radiation up to 3 kGy. Antimicrobial activity of LDPE/polyamide films incorporated with transcinnamaldehyde
was tested with fresh-cut romaine lettuce. Total aerobic plate counts
(APC) and yeast and mold counts (YMC) were determined as a function of dose (0, 0.5,
and 1.0 kGy) for 14 days of storage at 4ðC. Irradiation exposure significantly lowered
APCs of lettuce samples by 1-log CFU/g compared to the non-irradiated controls;
however, it only slightly reduced YMCs. The effectiveness of using irradiation with
antimicrobial films was enhanced with increased radiation dose and transcinnamaldehyde
concentration.
Electron beam irradiation up to 20 kGy did not affect the tensile strength and
toughness of the polymeric films. The filmâÂÂs flexibility and barrier properties were
significantly improved by exposure to 20 kGy. The addition of an active compound did
not affect the tensile strength and barrier properties of the films, but decreased the
percent elongation-at-break and toughness, making them slightly more brittle.
Ionizing radiation affected the release kinetics of the antimicrobial agent from the
packaging material into a model food system. Irradiated films exhibited slower release
rates than non-irradiated film by 69%. In addition, release rate was lower at 4úC by
62.6% than at 21-35úC. The pH of the simulant solution affected release rate with pH 4
yielding higher rates than pH 7 and 10.
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Menary, Jonathan. "Innovation in the UK fresh produce industry : sources, barriers and innovative capacity." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2018. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/104208/.
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The UK fresh produce industry faces a number of challenges, including new pests and diseases, foreign competition and the cost of and access to seasonal labour. ‘Innovation’ has been promoted to meet these challenges, but the sources of innovation, and what holds it back, have not been explored. This thesis aims to: 1) identify the sources of innovation in the fresh produce industry, 2) determine the barriers to innovation in the industry and 3) seek ways to improve the overall innovative capacity of the sector. It does so by using the Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) approach as an underpinning framework within a case study design. 32 industry practitioners, including growers, technologists, researchers and retailers took part in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using Framework Analysis. The study finds an increasingly consolidated and competitive industry, influenced heavily by retail groups and the need for constant innovation. It describes ‘types’ of innovation and their interlinked nature, as well as the inherent uncertainty around innovation and the difficulties in ‘measuring’ change. It finds that innovation often originates overseas and through experimentation or interaction with a given product or process. It describes both positive and negative communication in the industry and explores other blocking mechanisms to innovation including horizontal and vertical fragmentation, diverging innovation agendas and a “defensive” innovation culture. It also identifies a number of enabling factors for change. Interactivity and network formation are recognised as vital components of the innovation system. However, considerable emphasis is placed on non-systemic factors, such as entrepreneurialism. These findings are combined with existing literature in a functional-structural analysis to offer recommendations to bolster innovative capacity in the industry. The study makes several original contributions to knowledge, particularly with respect to the AIS approach: that innovation systems routinely extend beyond national borders, facilitated in part by another understudied issue – producer organisations – is an area for further research.
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Hadwin, Angela J. "Keeping mom and pop fresh : strategies for getting produce into corner stores." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/73815.
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Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-71).
Availability of fresh, healthy produce for low-income people is a growing concern for advocates and public officials concerned with health disparities and diet-related disease. Healthy corner store conversions are a promising strategy to address issues of food access. To be successful, conversion programs must address the challenges of sourcing and selling produce. As a perishable product, produce requires store owner to possess significant skills and infrastructure for proper management. Additionally, corner stores face a supply chain increasingly structured for large supermarkets and must balance the often-competing factors of small scale, affordability, and quality. Finally, programs must consider how to appropriately serve and engage communities to ensure financial viability and maximize health impacts. This thesis explores strategies to improve the provision of produce through corner stores through a review of reports, literature, and practice. Central to these approaches are the goals of increased efficiency and affordability and long-term sustainability. Several corner store programs have demonstrated the possibility for making money through produce sales using a holistic approach that engages community members and provides training and assistance to store owners. Supply strategies range from cooperative purchasing, shared docking with larger stores or institutions, convincing wholesalers to accommodate smaller orders, and developing new distribution infrastructure that integrates small stores into the local food system. This work concludes with key lessons for corner store programs seeking to improve produce supply practices and infrastructure. The discussion also includes opportunities for actors in produce supply and distribution to capture this emerging market and support food access efforts.
by Angela J. Hadwin.
M.C.P.
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McGinley, Susan, and Crystal Renfrow. "Looking Through a New Market Window: Trends in the Fresh Produce Industry." College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622327.
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Paden, Holly Noelle. "Contamination of Fresh Produce with Human Pathogens in Domestic and Commercial Kitchens." The Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525710038777157.
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Dehghan, Abnavi Mohammadreza Dehghan. "CHLORINE DECAY AND PATHOGEN CROSS CONTAMINATION DYNAMICS IN FRESH PRODUCE WASHING PROCESS." Cleveland State University / OhioLINK, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1624196282479244.
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Raiden, Renee Mary. "Efficacy of Detergent Rinse Agents to Remove Salmonella and Shigella spp. from the Surface of Fresh Produce." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35206.
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Fresh produce has been implicated in several foodborne outbreaks. A primary site of microbial contamination for produce occurs on the surface during production and handling. An approach to reduce contamination is to sample the surface of produce. This study used different detergent agents at 22°C and 40°C to determine their efficacy for recovery of pathogenic bacteria, from surfaces of several produce types and examined survival of organisms in detergents over time. Strawberries, tomatoes and green leaf lettuce were dip inoculated in a 6-6.5 LOG CFU/ml cocktail of nalidixic acid resistant organisms. After drying, produce were rinsed with either 0.1 % sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), 0.1% Tween 80, or water at different temperatures. Rinse solutions were plated onto Tryptic Soy agar supplemented with 50-ppm nalidixic acid (TSAN). About 4 LOG CFU/ml of Salmonella, and 3-LOG CFU/ml Shigella were recovered, with slightly lower recovery from tomatoes. Inoculated strawberries rinsed with SLS, displayed minimal recovery at ~1.5-LOG CFU/ml at 22°C, and <1-LOG CFU/ml at 40°C. When whole strawberries treated with SLS were analyzed, few Salmonella were recovered. Lack of recovery of Salmonella rinsed with SLS, suggests SLS may be inactivating Salmonella, especially at elevated temperatures. Detergent solutions were inoculated with 3-LOG CFU/ml cocktail and incubated for up to 32 hours at 22°C, and 40°C. Aliquots were plated onto TSAN at varying times. All solutions at 40°C allowed Shigella to grow. SLS gave initial drops in Salmonella populations followed by slight recovery. SLS may cause an initial injury of Salmonella. While organisms were able to survive in detergents, the application of detergents to produce was no more effective in recovery of organisms from produce than water.Master of Science
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Ada, R. "Japanese consumer co-operatives : a market entry opportunity for Queensland fresh horticultural produce /." St. Lucia, Qld, 2003. http://adt.library.uq.edu.au/public/adt-QU20040116.144439/index.html.
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Puerta-Gomez, Alex Frank. "Improving chemical aqueous based intervention methods for microorganism elimination from fresh produce surfaces." Texas A&M University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/3159.
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Many intervention methods theoretically have the potential to eliminate
microorganisms. However, they do not perform efficiently once applied to fruits and
vegetables. In this study Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
were used as model systems on 6 different types of produce to determine the effect of
produce surface characteristics on sanitizer effectiveness.
Microbial attachment on produce surfaces was induced after 3 h of drying at 24°C
and high relative humidity (RH). Afterwards, produce was stored for 3 subsequent days
and washed with sterilized tap water for 5, 10 and 15 minutes to separate weakly from
strongly attached microorganisms from the produce surface. The strongly attached
microorganisms were then treated with 3% H2O2 for 1, 3, and 5 minutes. These results
were compared to the log reduction curves obtained with a pure liquid culture and 3%
H2O2. Additionally, contact angle of water and diiodomethane on each type of surface
were measured and used as indicator of wettability, and for calculating surface tension
characteristics of the produce surfaces. Then these surface characteristics were related to
the bacterial attachment and population reduction values obtained after applying the
treatments. In general, the geometric mean equation was the most useful in predicting the
surface tension values of produce surface and the polar and non-polar components of
produce surface tension.
Our results suggest that surface properties, such as roughness and surface tension
of fruits and vegetables are important factors limiting decontamination. These surface
properties allow the formation of micro-air pockets within the rough surface, thus
contributing to create a protective environment for microorganisms and reducing the
effectiveness of the chemical aqueous based intervention methods applied. Wettable
surfaces (water contact angle < 90°) allowed more bacteria to attach after the washing
and H2O2 chemical treatments. Roughness and surface polarity are intrinsic
characteristics of produce surfaces which affect wettability and the spreading and
penetration of the sanitizer treatment on the produce surface. Rough surface and porosity,
considered an extreme case of roughness, enhance a deeper cell internalization and a
protective environment for bacteria.
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DiCaprio, Erin L. "Attachment, Internalization, and Dissemination of Human Norovirus and Animal Caliciviruses in Fresh Produce." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338226593.
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Wongprawmas, Rungsaran <1980>. "Fresh Produce Safety and Good Agricultural Practices: Stakeholders' Perception and Consumers' Choice in Thailand." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2014. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/6650/.
Full textAbstract:
Concerns of Thai consumers on food safety have been recently increasing, especially in urban areas and for fresh produce because food safety scandals, such as chemical residues on fresh produce (e.g., cabbage) still frequently occur. The Thai government tried to meet consumer needs by imposing in the domestic market a stronger regulation aimed at increasing the baseline level of food safety assurance and by introducing a voluntary standard (based on Good Agricultural Practices or GAPs and known as Q-GAP) and the related food safety label (i.e., Q mark). However, since standards and regulations are weakly implemented in the domestic market compared to exported products, there is still a lack of Thai consumers’ confidence in the safety of local food products. In this work the current situation of GAPs adoption in Thai fresh produce production is analysed. Furthermore, it is studied whether Thai consumers place value on food safety labels available on the market, to know whether consumer demand could drive the market of certified safer products. This study contains three essays: 1) a review of the literature, 2) a qualitative study on stakeholders' perception toward GAPs adoption and 3) a quantitative study, aimed at analysing consumers' preferences and willingness-to-pay for food safety labels on fresh produce using a discrete choice experiment. This dissertation contributes to the economics of quality assurance and labelling, specifically addressing GAPs and food safety label in the fresh produce supply chain. Results show that Q-GAP could be effectively used to improve food safety in Thai domestic market, but its credibility should be improved. Stakeholder’s awareness toward food safety issues and the delivery of reliable and sound information are crucial. Thai consumers are willing to pay a premium price for food safety labelled produce over unlabelled ones. Implications for both government and business decision-makers are discussed.
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Kayed, Dima. "Microbial Quality of Irrigation Water used in the Production of Fresh Produce in Arizona." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/191270.
Full textAbstract:
Environmental factors and produce practices influence the microbial quality of produce. The objective of this study was to determine the microbial quality of irrigation water used for the production of fresh produce in Arizona and factors, which may influence this water quality such as canal size, location and rainfall. A total of 117 samples were collected from irrigation canals in Yuma County between June 2001 and March 2003 and 263 water samples were collected in Maricopa County between May 2002 and February 2003. Parameters such as temperature, turbidity, conductivity and pH were recorded for all samples. Water samples were analyzed for microbial indicators which included total coliforms, Escherichia colt, Enterococcus , and Clostridium perfringens. Sampling sites were examined for the presence of Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Noroviruses, Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. Samples collected in Yuma County showed that 4.3% of the samples were positive for Giardia spp., 19.6% were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., 17.4% were positive for Noroviruses, 20.7% were positive for Salmonella spp. and 55.2% were positive for Campylobacter spp. Overall, results from samples collected in Maricopa County showed that 2.3% of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp, 18.2% were positive for Noroviruses, 28.9% were positive for Salmonella spp. and 68.7% were positive for Campylobacter spp. Giardia spp. were not detected in any samples. One-way ANOVA did not demonstrate any significant difference between microbial indicator concentrations in samples collected from Yuma and Maricopa Counties. Overall, E. colt concentrations correlated strongly with Enterococcus (r=0.858) in samples collected from Maricopa County. Rainfall within 7 days prior to sampling correlated strongly with overall averages for each indicator, the strongest correlation was seen with E. colt (r=0.726). Overall, the main canals tended to have lower microbial numbers than the lateral/drain canals. In Maricopa County, the sampling sites located furthest north and furthest south on each of the main canals tended to have the higher microbial numbers. The sampling points located furthest south tended to be ranked higher in terms of microbial loads. There appeared to be no positive correlation between the levels of microbial indicators and enteropathogens in this study.
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Nadya, Stephanie. "Prevalence of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in irrigation waters and fresh produce in British Columbia, Canada." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/51591.
Full textAbstract:
Irrigation water is a risk factor in the transmission of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) to growing food plants. To date, there have been no systematic attempts to examine VTEC occurrence in surface waters used to irrigate crops in British Columbia. The objectives of this study were to determine the seasonal prevalence and characteristics of VTEC in surface waters and fresh produce grown in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Water samples (n=330) were collected from irrigation ditches and streams in four distinct watersheds between November 2012 – November 2013. Leafy vegetables (n=79) and berry fruits (n=26) were obtained from seven local farm markets during the summer. Detection and isolation of VTEC in water and produce rinses were performed using a novel hydrophobic grid membrane filtration-verotoxin immunoblot method. Prospective VTEC isolates were characterized by multiplex PCR to determine virulence gene profiles (eaeA, hlyA, vt₁ and vt₂), serotyping, antibiotic resistance profiling and genotyping by BOX-PCR. Fecal coliform and E. coli counts were obtained on Petrifilm™.
VTEC were not recovered from 105 samples of produce but were found in 19.1% of surface water samples. Seasonal prevalence rates were significantly different (P < 0.05), ranging from 34.2% to 15.7% and 13.3%, in winter, spring/summer and fall months, respectively. BOX-PCR revealed that 100 of 528 VTEC isolates were unique, including 3 of serotypes O157:H7/O157:NM, 16 of non-O157 “priority” serogroups O26, O103 and O111, and 81 from 32 additional serotypes with 10 distinct virulence gene profiles. Multiple antibiotic resistance was observed in 16.3% of isolates (n=104), and resistance to florfenicol (27.9%), streptomycin (13.5%), tetracycline (12.5%) and ampicillin (9.6%) was common. Fecal coliform and E. coli counts did not correlate with VTEC occurrence, and isolates were recovered from 21.7% of water samples with no E. coli detected.
In conclusion, VTEC were not recovered from fresh produce despite their recurrence in surface waters. The diversity of VTEC recovered from surface waters suggests the need for further research to identify sources of contamination and factors leading to persistence. Water quality methods based on the presence of indicator species may not reliably predict the risk of contamination with VTEC.Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate
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Kikine, Tshepo Neo Ferdinard. "Profiling of potential pathogens from Plankenburg river water used for the irrigation of fresh produce." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/18095.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MSc Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increased consumption of fresh produce has been shown to be related to increases in foodborne disease outbreaks and these have in many cases been ascribed directly to carry-over of pathogens from contaminated irrigation water. In South Africa, rivers are the main source of irrigation water but many have been found to be unsuitable for irrigation of fresh produce because of the unacceptably high levels of faecal contamination. The main aim of this study was to do a baseline evaluation of the microbiological quality of the Plankenburg and Eerste Rivers and to determine which bacterial contaminants are present. Two sampling sites were selected for the Plankenburg (Plank-1 and -3) and one for the Eerste River (Eerste-1). The microbiological analysis included aerobic colony count (ACC), aerobic and anaerobic sporeformers, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Listeria, enterococci, coliforms, faecal coliforms and E. coli using standard methods. The faecal contamination levels for both rivers exceeded the DWAF and WHO guidelines of <1 000 E. coli per 100 mL water for irrigation of fresh produce intended to be consumed raw. The Plankenburg River sites always had higher coliform contamination levels (1 200 - 13 000 000 MPN per 100 mL water) than the Eerste River site (230 - 79 000 MPN per 100 mL water). There was also a high incidence of index organisms including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Listeria and endosporeformers. The isolation of intestinal enterococci suggested the presence of potential pathogens that can cause disease outbreaks. The baseline data also showed large variations in microbial loads over the 15 month study with the faecal coliform counts ranging for Plank-1 from 1 200 to 7 000 000 MPN.100mL-1, Plank-3 from 10 to 460 000 MPN.100mL-1 and Eerste-1 from 28 to 79 000 MPN.100mL-1. The water temperatures at all three sites ranged from 12.1° to 21.7°C with COD values in most cases below 100 mg.L-1. As the baseline study showed large variations in microbial loads over the 15 month study period an assessment using the Colilert-18 system of the weekly, daily and hourly variations, for 6 weeks over a period of 4 months was conducted at site Plank-2. This site was specifically used as it is an irrigation source point for nearby fresh produce farmers and is about 2 km further downstream from an informal settlement. The weekly variation trend for total coliforms (TC) showed a decrease over the entire sampling period with the highest count of 3 200 000 MPN.100 mL-1 during the warmer period. The E.coli (Ec) counts showed a similar trend with the highest count of 440 000 MPN.100 mL-1 also in March. The daily variation trends were the same for both the TC and Ec and counts found to increase from Monday to Thursday followed by a decrease to Sunday. The highest counts were on Thursday with average TC and Ec counts of 1 900 000 and 160 000 MPN.100 mL-1, respectively. The hourly variation trends were similar for both TC and Ec with counts increasing from 06h00 to 12h00 followed by a decrease to 18h00. The increases in TC and Ec counts found during the weekly, daily and hourly variation trend studies clearly suggests that the 15 month sampling that was done once a month on Mondays at 08h00 could be considered an underestimation of the contamination levels of the Plankenburg and Eerste Rivers. The overall weekly variation trend for the water temperature showed a decrease over the sampling period while the daily and hourly variation trends showed an increase from 06h00 to 18h00. The overall weekly trend for pH differed from that of the temperature with an increase over the sampling period. The analysis of covariance showed no correlation (p < 0.05) between the physico-chemical (temperature and pH) and the microbial variables (TC and Ec). Therefore it was concluded that temperature and pH had no direct impact on either the total coliform or E. coli counts. Both the Plankenburg and Eerste Rivers were found to be unsuitable for the irrigation of fresh produce intended to be consumed raw due to the high levels of faecal contamination that exceeded DWAF and WHO guidelines. Irrigation with such water could pose a health risk because of presence of potential pathogens that could be carried-over to fresh produce.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toenemende gebruik van vars produkte hou direk verband met die toename in voedseloordraagbare siektes. Alte dikwels kan dit toegeskryf word aan die teenwoordigheid van patogene in besproeiingswater. In Suid Afrika is riviere die hoofbron van besproeiingswater maar dit is al gevind dat meeste ongeskik is vir gebruik as besproeïngsbron as gevolg van die onaanvaarbare hoe vlakke van fekale besmetting. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om ‘n basislyn evaluasie van die mikrobiologiese kwaliteit van die Plankenburg en Eerste Riviere te doen en ook vas te stel watter bakteriese kontaminante teenwoordig is. Twee bemonsteringpunte is geselekteer vir die Plankenburg (Plank- 1 en -3) en een vir die Eerste Rivier (Eerste-1). Mikrobiologiese analises met standaard metodes het die volgende ingesluit: aërobe kolonie telings (AKT), aërobe en anaërobe spoorevormers, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Listeria, enterococci, koliforms, fekale koliforms en E. coli met gebruik van standaard metode. Die fekale besmettingsvlakke vir beide riviere het die DWAF en WHO leistreep van <1 000 E. coli per 100 mL water vir besproeiing van vars produkte wat rou geëet kan word oorskry. Die Plankenburg Rivier bemonsteringspunte het in alle gevalle ‘n hoër kolivorm besmettingsvlak (1 200 - 13 000 000 MPN per 100 mL water) as die Eerste Rivier punt (230 - 79 000 MPN per 100 mL water) gehad. Daar was ook ‘n hoër voorkoms van indeksorganismes insluitend Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Listeria en endosporevormers. Die voorkoms van ingewand enterococci was ‘n addisionele aanduiding van die voorkoms van patogene wat ernstige gesondheidsrisikos vir die verbruiker kan inhou. Die basislyn data het groot variasies in die mikrobe vlakke oor die 15 maand van studie getoon. Die faecal koliforms vir Plank- 1 het gewissel van 1 200 tot 7 000 000 MPN.100mL-1, vir Plank-3 van 10 tot 460 000 MPN.100mL-1 en vir Eerste-1 van 28 tot 79 000 MPN.100mL-1. Die water temperature het gewissel van 12.1° tot 21.7°C met die CSB waardes in meeste gevalle minder as 100 mg.L-1. Aangesien daar sulke groot variasies in mikrobe ladings oor die 15 maande tydperk voorgekom het, is die Colilert-18 sisteem gebruik om die weeklikse, daaglikse en uurlikse variasies vas te stel vir 6 weke oor ‘n periode van 4 maande by die Plank-2 bemonsteringspunt. Daar is spesifiek op die bemonsteringspunt gefokus omdat dit as ‘n besproeiingsbron gebruik word deur groente produsente. Dit is ook gelee ongeveer 2 km stroomaf van ‘n informele nedersetting. Die weeklikse variasies in totaal koliforms (TC) het ‘n afname oor die hele bemonsteringsperiode getoon, met die hoogstes telling van 3 200 000 MPN.100 mL-1 gedurende die warmer tydperk. Die E.coli (Ec) tellings het ‘n soortgelyke neiging getoon, met die hoogste telling van 440 000 MPN.100 mL-1 ook in Maart. Die daaglikse neigings was dieselfde vir beide die TC en Ec en die tellings het vermeerder van Maandag tot Donderdag, met ‘n afname tot Sondag. Die hoogste telling was op Donderdag met gemiddelde TC and Ec tellings van 1 900 000 and 160 000 MPN.100 mL-1, respektiewelik. Die uurlikse variasie profiel was soortgelyk vir beide TC and Ec met tellings wat vermeerder het van 06h00 tot 12h00 gevolg deur ‘n afname tot 18h00. Die toename in TC en Ec getalle soos vasgestel gedurende die weeklikse, daaglikse en uurlikse variasie het duidelik getoon dat die bemonsterings wat een maal per maand op Maandae om 08h00 gedurende die 15 maande tydperk uitgevoer is, tot ‘n erg onderskatting van die besmettings vlakke in die Plankenburg en Eerste Riviere gelei het. Die algehele weeklikse variasies vir die water temperatuur het ‘n verlaging oor die bemonsteringstydperk getoon terwyl die daaglikse en uurlikse variasie neigings ‘n verhoging van 06h00 tot 18h00 getoon het. Die weeklikse neigings vir pH het van die van die temperatuur verskil. Die analises van kovariante het geen korrelasie (p < 0.05) tussen die fisiese-chemiese (temperature en pH) parameters en die mikrobe veranderlikes (TC en Ec) getoon nie. Dus is daar afgelei dat temperatuur en pH geen direkte impak op die totale kolivorm of E. coli tellings gehad nie. Die data van die studie het duidelik getoon dat water van beide die Plankenburg en Eerste Riviere nie geskik is vir gebruik vir besproeiing van vars produkte wat rou geëet gaan word nie. In beide gevalle het die fekale besmettingsvlakke die DWAF en WHO leistreep oorskry. Besproeiing met sulke water hou ‘n gesondheidsgevaar in as gevolg van die teenwoordigheid van potensiële patogene wat oorgedra kan word na vars produkte.
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Han, A. Reum. "Effectiveness of aerosolization as a novel disinfection method to inactivate foodborne pathogens on fresh produce." Pullman, Wash. : Washington State University, 2009. http://www.dissertations.wsu.edu/Thesis/Spring2009/ar_han_1041609.pdf.
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Trupo, Paul. "Agricultural Cooperation and Horticultural Produce Marketing in Southwest Virginia." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36871.
Full textAbstract:
Agricultural production in Southwest Virginia is characterized by numerous small, geographically disperse farms dedicated to traditional practices of producing tobacco and cattle. Community leaders have expressed the desire to diversify the region's agricultural production base to include potentially more profitable commodities such as horticultural crops. In order for the small growers to penetrate the fresh horticultural market and compete with the larger production regions, they must organize themselves into a farmer cooperative that allows them to pool resources, reduce costs, and share risk.
A successful cooperative will increase farm incomes for the region's producers. The co-op will strive to obtain a higher price for the commodities produced than that price which can be obtained by growers acting independently. The increase in farm incomes should offset forecasted decreases in agricultural incomes resulting from declines in the region's traditional production activities. Increased farm incomes for a large number of small growers should have a substantial impact on agricultural producers, marketers, and equipment suppliers and lead to economic development for the region as a whole.
Several past horticultural cooperative efforts have been publicly financed and eventually failed for a wide variety of reasons. The methodology used in this research include surveying and interviewing marketing specialists, co-op managers, growers, extension agents, horticulturists, and other experts involved with both successful and failed cooperative efforts. The data gathered from these interviews has been used to identify key factors that have contributed to the success or failure of the other cooperative efforts.
Based on the key factors identified from the research, a specific cooperative structure has been developed for the Southwest Virginia growers. This organizational structure incorporates into its legal documentation (bylaws, business plan, and marketing agreement) the critical factors that must be carried out by members, management, extension, and marketers in order to increase the probability for the cooperative's long-term survival and profitability.
Master of Science
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Salisbury, Karli A. "Examining Market Channels for Local Produce: Consumer Affordability and Producer Profitability." DigitalCommons@USU, 2018. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7408.
Full textAbstract:
This study examines the price differences of commonly consumed produce between farmers’ markets and grocery stores in Utah. Our first objective is to compare price differences of a basket of produce between farmers’ markets and grocery stores. We compare these price differences in terms of low-income consumer affordability and if an individual can afford a market basket of produce using a combination of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) dollars and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) incentive dollars. Our second objective for this study is to establish the price premiums of individual produce items based on where the produce was sold, time of season, market channel (farmers’ market versus grocery store), as well as production method used (conventional versus organic).
The findings from this research can inform policy makers of the affordability of farmers’ market produce and apply incentive programs more effectively. We can inform consumers of the price differences so they can maximize their food budgets. We can use the research to help producers make market strategies that can then maximize their profits.
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Madevu, Hilton. "Competition in the tridimensional urban fresh produce retail market : the case of the Tshwane metropolitan area, South Africa." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08212007-150102.
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Yesil, Mustafa. "Enhancing the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by bacteriophage and gaseous ozone to improve postharvest fresh produce safety." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1512103801957122.
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Roberts, Raveenia Ellisa. "Harnessing the potential of gaseous ozone for the disinfection of fresh produce in storage and transit." Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.490155.
Full textAbstract:
Freshly-harvested fruit and vegetables are prone to microbial spoilage sustained during production, transportation and storage. Traditional chemical treatments, including sanitizing agents such as chlorinated compounds, fail to adequately control many of the common microbes responsible for spoilage as wen as potentially harmful human pathogens. As a result, safe, effective alternatives to current practices are urgently required to reduce spoilage, Improve food safety and gain consumer confidence. Research and commercial applications have established that ozone, a powerful oxidant, may provide a viable alternative to traditional disinfectants. Using fruit of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, L., as an experimental model the work reported in this thesis was undertaken to explore the efficacy of gaseous ozone for the preservation of fresh produce in storage and transit. Findings illustrate that extremely low-levels of ozone enrichment, 0.05 ppm, were significant in reducing surface microtlora and Botrytis cinerea lesion development. Moreover, ozone-treated fruit were effectively 'vaccinated' against subsequent infection, and this effect persisted for up to 2 weeks after fruit were removed from an ozone-enriched environment. Interestingly, RT-PCR assays showed that ozone repressed the expression of several defence-related genes and detectable shifts in gene expression mirrored the duration of 'memory effects'. Ozone treatment resulted in no deleterious effects on fruit quality. Indeed, fresh weight loss was 50% of that experienced by non-ozonated fruit and there appeared to be detectable benefits of ozone treatment on taste and appearance. Key words: gaseous ozone, fresh produce, spoilage losses, storage, transit.
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Ramadan, Iman M. W. "The supply chain for Egypt's fresh produce exports : barriers to efficiency and proposed strategies for improvement." Thesis, Southampton Solent University, 2002. http://ssudl.solent.ac.uk/625/.
Full textAbstract:
Increasing competitive pressures due to globalisation of markets, fuelled by developments in communication and information systems have led Egypt to embark upon ambitious ecomomic structural reform programmes. Although major improvements in the country's monetary and financial position have been achieved, Egypt's trade defecit continues to worsen. The Egyptian government is not pursuing policies that encourage exports such as liberalisation of trade privatisation and encouragement of foreign investments. Despite these efforts progress is limited with respect to the quantities and value of exported fresh produce which Egypt has comparative advantage in producing. The challenge to supply the EU, which is a net importer of fresh produce and Egypt's main agricultural trade partner, with consistent and timely deliveries that satisfy its quality specifications at competitive prices remians strong, despite some export opportunities offered by trade agreements between Egypt and the EU. Supply Chain Management is now considered a key competitive weapon. More and more developing countries like Egypt are beginning to realise the importance of its efficiency and the opportunities it offers in terms of cost savings, improved customer servicves, more efficient use of resources, environmental benefits, competitive advantage ande bigger market share. What it takes to implement in terms of infrastructure, skilled personnel, information technology and procedures need to be pointed out. There has been little research in the field of Supply Chain Management in Egypt to date. Through studying the case of fresh produce moved from Egypt to EU countries, a contribution to a profound analysis of the current practices and problems inherent in the system is made possible. After investigating the problem through interviews and questionnaires and reviewing the relevant literature, a set of barriers have been identified that impede the smooth and co-ordinated flow of goods and information throughout the supply chain. Barrers in air, maritime and land transport as well as procurement and institutional barriers have been identified and their causes are analysied in order to draw a realy picture of the problem situation. due to the complexity and the interdisciplinary nature of the investigated problem a holistic approach was considered to be more appropriate. Reviewing different methodologies, the Soft System Methodology was chosen as it provides a well established tool for analysis of complex management problems. Its application provides a basis for problem situation improvement by designing conceptual models based on root definitions for systems and subsystems of the supply chain under investigation. The research is evaluated in terms of its satisfaction to criteria set in recent literature for competent interpretive field research based on the hermeneutic philosophy that notable match the holistic nature and systems thinking of both the research topic and the interpretive methodology adopted.
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Vurma, Mustafa. "Development of Ozone-Based Processes for Decontamination of Fresh Produce to Enhance Safety and Extend Shelflife." The Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1238099278.
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Limoges, Marie. "An Environmental Approach To Food Safety Assessment Using Artisan Cheese And Fresh Produce As Model Systems." ScholarWorks @ UVM, 2019. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1013.
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This dissertation examined recently issued regulatory standards using cheese and produce as model systems. FDA's 2015 Domestic and Imported Cheese and Cheese Products Compliance Program Guidelines (CPG) E. coli standards on cheese safety, and the extent to which these standards affect domestic and imported cheese commerce, was assessed. Results from FDA's Domestic and Imported Cheese Compliance Program for samples collected between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2006 were analyzed. Of 3,007 cheese samples tested for non-toxigenic E. coli, 76% (2,300) of samples exceeded 10/g, FDA's target for regulatory activity. In cheese samples containing E. coli levels of 10/g and 100/g, there was no statistically significant association with presence of Listeria monocytogenes. However, associations between Staphylococcus aureus levels of 10,000 CFU/g and presence of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were statistically significant, indicating that EU regulations targeting S. aureus as the pathogen of concern may be more appropriate than E. coli for cheese safety assessment.
Compost amended soils in the Northeastern U.S. were assessed for the presence and survival of E. coli and Listeria spp. against FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements. Manure and poultry litter-based biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO) must achieve pathogen reduction to reduce risk of pathogen contamination on the harvested produce. Two trials of replicated field plots of loamy (L) or sandy (S) soils were tilled and un-amended (NC) or amended with dairy compost (DC), poultry litter compost (PL), or poultry pellets (PP). Colony count and most probable number (MPN) methods were used to determine persistence of E. coli in these plots over 104 days post-inoculation. Detection of indigenous Listeria spp. were also examined in all plots. Higher E. coli populations were observed in PL and PP amended soils when compared to DC and NC plots. E. coli was detected at low levels on radish crops, where PL treatments encouraged greater levels of survival and growth than DC or NC. Study results verify that a 120 day interval following BSAAO application should be sufficient to ensure food safety of edible crops subsequently planted on these soils.
The sensitivity of environmental monitoring methods and collection formats were evaluated to identify optimal procedures for detection of Listeria spp. on product contact surfaces within artisan cheese production environments. Four environmental surfaces (dairy brick, stainless steel, plastic, and wood; n=405/surface type) were inoculated with L. innocua, L.m. ATTC® 19115 and L.m. 1042, at high (106-107/cm2) and low (0.1-1/cm2) target concentrations. Inoculated surfaces were swabbed with World Bioproducts© EZ ReachTM and 3MTM environmental swabs (3MTM). Five enrichment and enumeration methods were used to compare sensitivity of recovery between environmental swabs. All swab formats performed equally on all environmental surfaces at high target concentrations. At low concentrations, PetrifilmTM and WBEZ swabs recovered Listeria spp. from 87.5% of plastic, stainless steel, and dairy brick surfaces, but only 62.7% of wooden surfaces; recovering 14.8%, 77%, and 96.3% of cells from initial inoculations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1/cm2, respectively . Our data demonstrate that results may be discrepant due to variation in the porosity of environmental surfaces and should be taken into consideration when implementing environmental sampling plans. Results from this thesis can be used to inform regulatory policy and help to achieve improved food safety.
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Alradaan, Ali. "DYNAMICS OF WASH WATER PARAMETERS IN THE SANITIZATION OF FRESHLY-CUT PRODUCE." Cleveland State University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1526384084438372.
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Troya, Maria Rosa. "Improving liquid chemical intervention methods to control pathogens on fresh-cut fruits and vegetables." Texas A&M University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/3929.
Full textAbstract:
Factors that affect liquid chemical intervention methods of controlling pathogens
on fresh-cut produce were investigated. The relationship between produce tissue
structure (intercellular space, cell size, and cell distribution) and the sanitizing
effectiveness of liquid chemical treatment was studied. Experiments determined if
sanitizer contact with bacteria could be improved through the use of surfactants and
different application methods (drop application method, negative pressure differential,
and sonication). To test these factors, a model sanitizer, H2O2, and a model
microorganism: Salmonella Typhimurium, along with various fresh-cut produce (apple,
pear, carrot, and potato) were tested. Microscopic analysis revealed a very complicated
pore structure consisting of irregular capillaries. S. Typhimurium was found to survive in
all produce tested, and washing did not significantly reduced inoculated bacteria
regardless of the bacterial incubation time or produce type. The results showed that a 3%
H2O2 solution reduced S. Typhimurium in produce and the solutionÂs efficiency varied in
the following descending order: potato>apple>carrot>pear. In seven min treatments,
bacteria were reduced by 2.5 CFU/ml in potato, 2.3 CFU/ml in apple, 1.5 CFU/ml in
carrot, and 0.7 CFU/ml in pear. There was no direct evidence on how intercellular space,
its percentage or cellular distribution and shape affected efficiency, but some possibilites
were discussed. The rate and extent of liquid penetration, and how varying pore
diameter in each cell or air space prevent complete chemical treatment penetration were
also analyzed.
It was determined that bacterial density has a slight effect in bacterial reduction
but this depends on type of produce inoculated. The use of surfactants did not improve
bacterial reduction in either washing or chemical treatments, and neither did the use of drop application method or temperature differential. On the other hand, applying the
chemical treatment with a surfactant while using a sonicator did improve the treatmentÂs
efficiency. This thesis provides a number of factors to be considered when designing a
chemical treatment and a guideline for further research in areas such as rate and extent of
liquid chemical treatment penetration into fresh-cut produce.
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Feenstra, Gail Whiting. ""Quality" factors affecting the price of selected fresh produce at Hunt's Point Terminal Market in New York City /." Access Digital Full Text version, 1986. http://pocketknowledge.tc.columbia.edu/home.php/bybib/10648045.
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Thesis (Ed. D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1986.Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Joan Dye Gussow. Dissertation Committee: Isobel Contento, Robert C. Feenstra. Bibliography: 182-191.
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Van, Blommestein Anneri. "Impact of selected environmental factors on E.coli growth in river water and an investigation of carry-over to fresh produce." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/71975.
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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The consumption of fresh produce has increased over the past few decades, but it has also resulted in an increase in foodborne outbreaks. Once fresh produce gets contaminated, microbes can survive or even multiply on the produce. There is, however, very little information available on what impact environmental conditions will have on the survival and growth of potential pathogens. Thus the purpose of the first phase of the study was to determine the impact of different environmental factors: carbon levels; temperature; incubation time; and initial microbial load on the growth of E.coli and other "indigenous" microbes present in the Plankenburg river water. Water from the Plankenburg River was incubated at 10° to 35°C and the E.coli and aerobic (ACC) loads determined at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h. The impact of different COD:N:P ratios on growth were also evaluated by altering the water values. It was found that in non-sterile river water the E.coli levels increased with increase in incubation temperature. Minimal growth took place between 10° and 20°C and the largest growth increases at 35°C. The data showed that E.coli dieoff was rapid when the nutrient levels were low. It was concluded that the carbon (COD) level is a major growth limiting factor in river water. The impact of adjusted carbon levels on the growth of E.coli present was then evaluated. The E.coli was found to die-off faster at the higher temperatures when the carbon levels were low (COD = <10 mg.L-1), possibly due to nutrient limitations. At higher carbon levels (COD = >100 mg.L-1), the growth profiles of E.coli showed major growth increases with no die-off during the 24 h period, probably because of the availability of sufficient nutrient levels. Even though standard methods can be used to identify if irrigation water is faecally contaminated it is important to confirm that organisms on fresh produce are from the faecally polluted irrigation water. The purpose of the second study was to determine the effect of daily irrigation on carry-over, the effect of “once-off” irrigation on the survival of E.coli on the produce, identifying types of E.coli in the irrigation water and those on irrigated fresh produce, and then linking the E.coli types. In the first trial, green beans planted in a tunnel and irrigated on a daily basis (14 days) with Plankenburg water and a “pure wild-type” E.coli at a concentration of 106 cfu.mL-1 were evaluated. The results showed that E.coli is carried over from irrigation water to the irrigated green beans, especially when the E.coli levels in the river water were high. After the enumeration steps, colonies from both the irrigation water and from the irrigated beans were selected (67 isolates from the green beans and 72 from the irrigation water). Unique phenotypic (API) profiles were generated for each isolate. The first indication of linking was confirmed based on the degree of phenotypic similarity using numerical clustering systems. The results showed that these isolates were related and originated from the same pollution source. The use of PCR further confirmed (uidA positive) that all the phenotypically identified strains were E.coli. With multiplex PCR, further linking confirmation was shown when strains tested positive for the mdh gene. The presence of EPEC strains in the irrigation water was also revealed. Thirteen E.coli isolates, which showed positive carry-over links between the irrigation water and the green beans, were further analysed using triplex PCR. However, no direct phylogenetic link to the three main phenotypic E.coli clusters was found. However the triplex PCR could be of value in identifying the source of faecal pollution. For further linking confirmation, DNA sequencing was done on selected phenotypically clustered strains. The oriC-locus sequencing was unsuccessful in distinguishing between the different E.coli strains while the dnaJ sequences showed clear differences and similarities between E.coli strains and some E.cloacae and K.pneumoniae strains respectively from the river water and from the beans. The probability of faecal coliforms being carried-over from irrigation water to fresh produce was shown. This showed the importance of a "multi-method" approach to confirm carryover.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens die afgelope paar dekades het die verbruik van vars groente en vrugte vermeerder, maar dit het ook gepaard gegaan met ‘n toename in voedselverwante uitbrekings. Indien vars groente of vrugte gekontamineer word, kan die mikrobes daarop oorleef en ook vermeerder. Daar is min informasie beskikbaar oor die impak van omgewingskondisies op die oorlewing en groei van potensiële patogene. Dus was die doel van die eerste fase van die studie om die impak van verskillende omgewingsfaktore te bepaal: koolstofvlakke; temperatuur; inkubasietyd; en aanvanklike mikrobiese lading op die groei van E.coli en ander “inheemse” mikrobes wat teenwoordig is in die Plankenburg Rivier water. Water van die Plankenburg Rivier was geïnkubeer by 10° tot 35°C en die E.coli en aërobe kolonie tellings (AKT) was bepaal by 0, 6, 12 en 24 h. Die impak van verskeie CSB:S:F verhoudings op groei, was ook geëvalueer deur die waarders van die rivierwater te verander. Dit was gevind dat in die nie-steriele rivierwater, die E.coli vlakke vermeerder het soos die inkubasie temperatuur vermeerder het. Minimale groei het plaasgevind by 10° en 20°C en die meeste groei by 35°C. Die data het gewys dat die E.coli vinnig afgesterwe het as die nutriënt vlakke laag was. Die gevolgtrekking was dat die koolstofvlakke (CSB) die hoof faktor is wat die groei beperk in rivierwater. Die impak van die aangepasde koolstofvlakke op die groei van E.coli teenwoordig was ook geevalueer. Daar was gevind dat die E.coli vinniger afsterf by die hoër temperature as die koolstofvlakke laag is (CSB = <10 mg.L-1), omdat die nutriente moontlik beperk is. Tydens die hoë koolstofvlakke (CSB = >100 mg.L-1), het die E.coli groeiprofiele baie groei getoon met geen afsterwe tydens die 24 h periode nie, omrede dat daar moontlik genoeg nutriente beskikbaar was. Al kan standaard metodes gebruik word om fekale kontaminasie in besproeiingswater te identifiseer, is dit belangrik om te kan bevestig of die organismes op vars groente of vrugte van fekale gekontamineerde besproeiingswater is. Die doel van die tweede fase van die studie was om die effek van daaglikse besproeiing op oordrag te bepaal, effek van eenkeer se besproeiing op die oorleweing van E.coli op groenboontjies, identifisering van E.coli tipes in die besproeiingswater en op die groenboontjies, asook die koppeling van E.coli tipes. In die eerste proef was groenboontjies geplant in ‘n tonnel en daagliks besproei (14 dae) met Plankenburg water en ‘n “suiwer wilde-tipe” E.coli met ‘n konsentrasie van 106 cfu.mL-1. Die resultate het getoon dat E.coli oorgedra was van die besproeiingswater na die besproeide groenboontjies, veral toe die E.coli vlakke in die rivierwater hoog was. Na al die isoleringsstappe, is kolonies van die besproeiingswater en van die besproeide groenboontjies geselekteer (67 isolate van die groenboontjies en 72 van die besproeiingswater). Unieke fenotipiese (API) profiele was gegenereer vir elke isolaat. Die eerste indikasie van koppeling was bewys deur die graad van soortgelyke fenotipiese profiele deur numeriese groepering. Die resultate het gewys die isolate was verwant en oorspronklik van dieselfde bron van kontaminasie. Die gebruik van PKR het verder bewys (uidA positief) dat al die fenotipiese geidentifiseerde isolate E.coli was. Verdere koppeling was geidentifiseer met die multiplex PKR deurdat die isolate positief getoets het vir die mdh geen. Die teenwoordigheid van die EPEC isolate in die besproeiingswater was ook gevind. Dertien E.coli isolate, wat positiewe oordrag verbinding getoon het tussen die besproeiingswater en die groenboontjies, was verder geanaliseer deur triplex PKR. Geen direkte fenotipiese verbinding met die drie hoof fenotipiese E.coli groepe was egter gevind nie. Die triplex PKR kan wel van waarde wees om die bron van die fekale besoedeling te identifiseer. Vir verdere koppeling bevestiging, was DNA volgorde gedoen op isolate van geselekteerde fenotipiese groepe. Die oriC-locus volgorde was onsuksesvol om te onderskei tussen die verskillende E.coli tipes, terwyl die dnaJ volgordes duidelike verskille en ooreenstemmings getoon het tussen die E.coli asook party E.cloacae en K.pneumoniae tipes, onderskeidelik van die rivierwater en boontjies. Die waarskynlikheid van oordrag van fekale kolvorme vanaf besproeiingswater na vars goedere was getoon. Dit wys die belangrikheid van ‘n “multi-metode” benadering om oordrag te bewys.
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Gumirakiza, Jean Dominique. "Assessment of Consumer Motivations to Attend Farmers' Markets, Their Preferences, and Their Willingness To Pay for Differentiated Fresh Produce: Three Essays." DigitalCommons@USU, 2013. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1758.
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This dissertation analyzed consumer primary motivations for attending farmers' markets, preferences for product features, and differentiated produce. We used consumer survey data collected at farmers' markets in Nevada and Utah during summers of 2008 and 2011, respectively. This dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay employed binary and multinomial logistic models to assess primary consumer motivations for attending farmers' markets. Results indicate that many consumers attend farmers' markets primarily to purchase fresh produce. Other motives such as social interaction, purchasing ready-to-eat food, and buying packaged foods, arts, and crafts were also analyzed. In this first essay, consumers who attended farmers' markets were clustered into three groups based on their similar characteristics. Results from this essay are useful to vendors at farmers' markets for they indicate primary motivations to attend. It also provides guidelines to farmers' markets managers in their efforts to meet attendees' expectations. The second essay used an ordered logistic model to analyze consumer preferences for eight fresh produce features. These features are product variety, quality, appearance, pricing, local, organic, freshness, and knowledge of local growers. Findings show that consumer preferences are strong for product quality, freshness, local and organic production. Policy makers can use results from this essay to provide necessary assistance to farmers to feature their products based on consumers' preferences. Health-related policy makers can use the results to implement programs aimed at increasing fresh produce consumption. The last essay used a multinomial logistic, conditional and ordinary least squares models to respectively investigate consumer preferences for differentiated fresh produce, willingness to pay, and stated demands for green peppers, cucumbers, and yellow squash. Comparison between preferences before and those after information about production and place of production was also done. Results demonstrate that consumer willingness to pay and the probability of purchasing each of the three products grown conventionally in Utah overweight those for either organically or conventionally grown of unknown origin. This essay provides information pertaining to produce differentiation through labels. The information has significant impact on preferences for conventionally grown local produce and negative effect on conventionally grown fresh produce of unknown origin. Green peppers, cucumbers, and yellow squash are ordinary goods with inelastic stated demands. Produce growers can use results from this essay to adopt production practices to meet consumer preferences. Results are useful to policy makers in enforcing local and organic certification regulations. They can also be used for pricing and marketing strategies.
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Duffy, Rachel Sarah. "The impact of supply chain partnerships on supplier performance : a study of the UK fresh produce industry." Thesis, University of London, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.539616.
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Givan, Ethan. "Selection of Pathogen Surrogates and Fresh Produce Safety: Implications for Public Health and Irrigation Water Quality Policy." TopSCHOLAR®, 2015. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1545.
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Foodborne illness continues to be a substantial public health issue in the United States, with fresh produce being one of the leading causes of outbreaks. Understanding routes of contamination of fresh produce and how pathogens survive on plant surfaces is paramount in improving food safety and reducing risk to public health. The objectives of this study were to select environmental E.coli isolates as pathogen surrogates of Salmonella typhimurium and E.coli O157:H7, assess lettuce plant contamination by spray irrigation water, and evaluate a common industry quality control (QC) E.coli strain (ATCC 25922). Selections of E.coli surrogates were made utilizing biofilm and leaf attachment data from lab scale assays. Five surrogates were found to be similar in biofilm formation and leaf attachment capabilities of the pathogens, while the common QC strain was significantly different than Salmonella in both biofilm formation and leaf attachment (p < 0.05). Persistence of surrogates, pathogens and the QC strain on lettuce plants was assessed in greenhouse scale experiments, where it was found that all isolates were above detection levels for 22 days. Die-off rates were calculated for all isolates, with the QC strain having the greatest rate of die-off in the first experiment (k = -4.52) and the second greatest in the second experiment (-2.82) while the pathogens and selected surrogates had statistically similar and lower rates of die-off. Based on this information, current policies concerning the sampling and management of irrigation waters and crops for microbial safety may be insufficient. It is recommended that sampling methods and frequencies be adjusted for irrigation waters and fresh produce, and the use of projected die-off rates not be used for the determination of time intervals needed before a crop is safe to harvest.
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Venter, Natashka Rosa. "Consumers' knowledge of date labelling and the influence thereof on household fresh produce waste practices in Gauteng." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/65953.
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Globally, it is estimated that one-third of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, which amounts to a concerning 1.3 billion tons per year (FAO, 2011). More concerning is the fact that much of the wastage is unnecessary because consumers often misinterpret product attributes such as date labels (i.e. sell-by; use-by and expiry-date), which they often rely on as a primary indication of product quality and/or safety. This tendency often leads to premature discarding/wastage of food products such as fresh produce. The problem is further exacerbated as current retail procedures and policies determining the date labelling on food products such as fresh produce are seldom regulated and also contribute towards food losses and wastage in the pre-and post-consumption stages. In order to reduce the current levels of food waste, it is imperative that improvements are made not only at household level, but in all stages of the supply chain, thus from farm to fork. This study first and foremost aimed to explore consumers’ current fresh produce waste practices in order to investigate date labelling as a pertinent reason for unnecessary fresh produce wastage. The study secondly aimed to explore consumers’ knowledge of fresh produce date labelling (in terms of subjective and objective knowledge dimensions), i.e. their understanding and interpretation of date labelling, not only in order to describe consumers’ current fresh produce wastage practices, but also to propose mitigating strategies. The Systems Theory was found appropriate and therefore used to guide discussions as it enabled the researcher to understand the sequence, relationship and interdependency of fundamental elements that influence fresh produce wastage. Data collection was executed in two phases. An electronic questionnaire was implemented to gather data pertaining to Phase 1. Data collection for Phase 2 relied on focus group discussions. The respondents were recruited across Gauteng using a convenience sampling technique. The overall findings regarding consumers’ food wastage revealed that fresh produce is indeed the product category wasted the most, particularly vegetables, with respondents indicating that of all fresh produce purchased per month, an estimate of 41.24% is wasted. In terms of consumers’ knowledge of date labelling, the results revealed that consumers might be somewhat overly confident (subjective knowledge). Many consumers eagerly noted that they knew enough about date labelling in order to make wise consumer decisions, but failed to present that knowledge when tested objectively. The results from the focus group discussions supported these findings and emphasised the fact that confusion in terms of Date Labelling Theory, i.e. the difference between the dimensions of date labelling (i.e. sell-by, use-by and best-before dates) is mostly the reason for misinterpretation and subsequent produce wastage. In terms of the main barriers that hinder more sustainable consumption, the results indicated that although poor planning and purchasing ranked as the most worrisome, date labelling still featured amongst the top five reasons for wastage. Possible avenues to mitigate consumers’ misinterpretation of date labelling and fresh produce wastage included: 1. Making use of an app that alerts users, 2. Removing sell by dates, and 3. Getting more support from the South African government through education and awareness campaigns. Whilst several studies have been done on household food waste practices, few have studied consumers’ subjective and objective knowledge dimensions on date labelling. To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first paper exploring consumer date labelling knowledge and the impact it has on household fresh produce wastage practices in Gauteng. By assessing the reasons for wastage, greater insight is gained with regard to presenting possible avenues that could mitigate fresh produce wastage.Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Consumer Science
MConsumer Science
Unrestricted
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Baka, Mebarek. "Photochemical therapy in the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables, phenomenological aspects of disease resistance and delayed senescence." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape11/PQDD_0004/NQ39333.pdf.
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Wong, Ka-yu Aileen, and 汪嘉瑜. "An exploratory study on the structural change of fresh produce industry in Hong Kong and its implications on business opportunities." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1997. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31268353.
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