Natures Best

Global leader in food safety

Nature’s Best are one of the largest producers of fresh produce in Ireland. They are committed to working with Irish growers and suppliers, and source from trusted partners from around the world. Nature’s Best not only offers fresh prepared produce but also works with partners to develop new products. Natures Best are unmatched when it comes to the vastness of their offering and are a global leader in terms of food safety.

Agricultural water has been recognized as one of the potential routes of contamination of human enteric pathogens. Preharvest water (i.e., irrigation water) and postharvest water (i.e., washing) have previously been linked as plausible routes of contamination in produce-related outbreaks.

Sustainable chemical alternatives

Pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC), norovirus and hepatitis A have all been previously isolated from unwashed fresh produce. Therefore, a treatment to inactivate these pathogens is essential to ensure food safety and public health.

During this project, a report was completed to review potential alternatives to chlorine-based disinfectants in the fresh produce industry. A total of 50 scientific papers were reviewed in detail to understand the sustainable chemical alternatives currently available and relevant information on them such as their contact time and concentration required, impact on the environment, potential disadvantages, potential threat to public health.

Nature’s Best & CREDIT Technology Gateway partnership

The project has provided valuable information on the potential sustainable alternatives to chlorine. Data on the concentration and contact time of treatment required for these identified alternatives has been gathered and analysed for future use.