Ultra-High Pressure Processing Eliminates Salmonella in Fresh Tomatoes

-US leader in Food Processing Technology offers insight to fresh food safety-

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent Salmonella contamination
in fresh tomatoes has resulted in a nationwide concern for consumers
unfamiliar with food-safe processing technologies. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has advised that tomatoes packaged commercially via heat
processing are still safe to eat. Unfortunately heat changes the flavor and
texture of fresh produce and is not viable for refrigerated salsas or
pico-style dip products with tomatoes.
An alternative to heat processing, featuring the same benefits -- but
without the negatives -- is Ultra-High Pressure Food Processing (UHP or HPP).
A leader in food safety, Fresherized Foods(TM), advises that ultra-high
pressure processing (essentially a cold pasteurization process via
high-pressure water) eliminates most food pathogens found in raw produce --
including fresh tomatoes. http://www.fresherizedfoods.com
Food safety experts recognize HPP globally as an effective preservation
solution -- as effective as cooking or heating -- in elimination of food
pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli.
High pressure processing eliminates Salmonella and other bacteria in about
3 minutes. Traditional processing for tomatoes takes from 10-45 minutes. The
negative effects of high temperatures on fresh produce are eliminated when
pressure is used, allowing HPP processed foods to retain nutrients, natural
taste, texture and color. And, because the organisms causing foods to spoil
have been reduced or eliminated, foods stay fresher longer.
Globally in 2006, approximately 55 companies used 91 HPP machines for food
production -- 56 HPP machines are located in the Americas.
Initial testing using high pressure technology dates back to the late
1800's. Americas use of HPP began in 1997 when Fresherized Foods company
founder, Don Bowden, became the first to introduce HPP technology for
commercial food production. Fresherized Foods currently owns the largest HPP
equipment in the world.
"HPP allows food processors to substantially reduce or eliminate the use
of costly chemical preservatives that alter the flavor, while creating safe,
all natural, clean-label and organic products that consumers are demanding,"
commented Marcia Walker, PhD Vice President Technology and Microbiology.
Globally HPP has been used in food processing since 1980's in Japan. HPP
is used in other commercial and manufacturing applications.
Fresherized Foods, a manufacturer and global leader in food safety,
quality and innovation, uses Ultra High Pressure Preservation (HPP) -- or
Fresherization(TM) -- to create their line of fresh dip products while
ensuring the highest level of food safety. http://www.fresherizedfoods.com
SOURCE Fresherized Foods

Sylvia Barnard, +1-770-401-3112, sylvia@bowwowconsulting.com, for Fresherized
Foods