Researchers Warn Polymers Used on Machine Harvesters Harbor Microbes, Pose Food Safety Risk
A recently concluded project funded by the Center for Produce Safety has collected information about, validated, and evaluated the efficacy of the cleaning and sanitation practices for harvest equipment among blueberry harvesters and packers. The project was carried out from January 1, 2021–January 31, 2023 by researchers from the University of Georgia and Oregon State University.
The project was conducted in order to answer questions about the different practices that blueberry growers and packers have adopted to clean and sanitize harvesting containers, flats/crates, and machine harvesters, and whether such practices do not have equal efficacies in decontaminating harvesting equipment and utensils.