The Ozone Layer is Your Friend

One of the misconceptions we frequently hear is that the ozone layer is somehow dangerous. Maybe it’s because people associate it with UV radiation, but the fact is that the ozone layer protects humans from harmful radiation. This layer also destroys pollutants in the atmosphere, which is why it sometimes becomes depleted (remember the concern…

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Facts about chlorine use in produce wash water

Are we helping or hurting ourselves by using chlorine for the prevention of foodborne pathogens? Certainly it kills pathogens in produce wash water, as well as drinking water, reclaimed water, and commercial poultry process water. But with ozone options available (which leave no residues, and do a better, faster job of killing pathogens), we should…

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Produce processing news: increased food safety concerns among consumers

According to Deloitte’s 2011 Consumer Food and Product Insights Survey, produce processing facilities are facing the same public relations challenges as the rest of the food processing industry: rising consumer concerns about food pathogens and other dangers in the foods they buy. The survey suggests that Americans’ historical trust of the government’s regulatory oversight has…

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Commercial laundry water recycling makes financial sense

I read an excellent article on laundry costs and laundry water recycling on the Alliance for Water Efficiency’s website, and thought it would be worth sharing, as it specifically mentions membrane filter technology as an effective way of recycling laundry water. The article starts by making some fairly obvious points to anyone who’s in the…

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AMS moves to reduce foodborne pathogens in leafy green vegetables

The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently recommended that the Secretary of Agriculture approve establishment of the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (NLGMA), a voluntary measure intended to regulate the handling of leafy green vegetables across the nation. The program’s intent is to reduce the potential for foodborne pathogens and improve consumer confidence in these…

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Hot water recovery system for commercial poultry production could aid compliance with new USDA performance standards

The USDA’s March announcement of new performance standards for commercial poultry production facilities has many operators looking for better ways to control foodborne pathogens. The agency’s new standard for salmonella allows a maximum of 7.5 percent of raw chickens to test positive, and the new Campylobacter standard allows a maximum of 10.4 percent of raw…

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