WASHINGTON DC: A review article published in the journal Foods describes a study that provides an overview of studies on minimally processed vegetables (MPV), with particular emphasis on the Brazilian market.
The data is presented on hygiene indicators and pathogenic microorganisms, in particular Escherichia coli (the main indicator of faecal contamination), Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.7% to 100%, 0.6% to 26.7% and 0.2% to 33.3%, respectively.
The article also discusses outbreaks of foodborne illness (food poisoning) associated with the consumption of fresh produce. vegetables In Brazil between 2000 and 2021. “Although there is no information on whether these vegetables were consumed as fresh vegetables or as minivans, the data underscores the need for control measures to ensure quality and safety products for consumers. consumers,” the authors write.
Regular consumption of vegetables plays an important role in the human diet due to the vitamins, minerals and fiber they contain. “More and more people want healthy food that can be prepared in a short time due to the rush and stress of everyday life. This trend has led to a growing global demand for minivans. On the other hand, fresh vegetables and minivans are frequently associated with foodborne illnesses.
The link is a concern. Minivans are sanitized, but studies show this process can be flawed, putting consumer health at risk. Rigorous controls are necessary to avoid defects and cross-contamination,” said Daniele Maffei, the final author of the paper. She is a professor in the Department of Agribusiness, Food and Nutrition at the Faculty of agriculture Luiz de Queiroz from the University of Sao Paulo (ESALQ-USP) in Brazil.
She is also affiliated with the Food Research (FoRC), one of the research, innovation and dissemination centers (RIDC) funded by Fapesp.
Minivans are cut up, sanitized and sold in sealed packages with labeling suggesting they are “ready to eat”. Consumers buy them to prepare their meals faster and reduce waste, since the entire contents of each package is usually a single serving. Because they are usually eaten raw, they are normally washed in chlorinated water to remove diseased microorganisms.
“The producer is responsible for marketing products with microbiological quality and safety, which requires the implementation of control measures throughout processing. Although washing them at home may be considered unnecessary, some consumers may choose to do so for added security,” Maffei said.
According to the article, minimal processing means the use of one or more methods to transform plant-based foods into ready-to-eat (RTE) or ready-to-cook (RTC) products with an extended shelf life while preserving the same nutritional values. and the organoleptic (sensory) quality of fresh vegetables. The shelf life varies from a few days to two weeks depending on several factors, such as the quality of the fresh vegetables, the processing method, the packaging, the storage conditions and the possible presence of pathogenic microorganisms or alteration.
Minimal processing carried out in accordance with best practices retards nutrient loss, avoids undesirable changes in texture, color, flavor and aroma, and prevents microbial spoilage. A wide variety of vegetables can be minimally processed, including leafy greens, like arugula, lettuce, and spinach; cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower; root vegetables, such as carrots and beets; and cucumbers, among others.
In Brazil, the MPV market emerged in the mid-1970s with the expansion of fast-food chains, and the presence of MPVs in retail stores continues to grow, especially in large urban centers, although the transformation makes them about twice as expensive as the MPV market. fresh vegetables.
“The growth of the minivan market is a trend in Brazil, and it is imperative to pass legislation to regulate the transformation and sale of these products,” said Maffei, who has been interested in this field since 2012 and published several articles on microbiology. risks associated with VPDs in journals such as Letters in Applied Microbiology, Food Research International and Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture).