A new vegetable screening system is designed to help processors identify pathogens within hours instead of days.
William Hanson, chief executive officer of Hanson Technologies in Pennsylvania, said the system offers a more reliable and timely measurement of what is going through a fresh cut produce processing plant.
Screening time would be cut to two hours from typical culturing methods that take 12 to 36 hours, which means results would be known before vegetables are shipped.
Hanson is testing the system at Verdelli Farms, fresh cut processors and distributors in Pennsylvania. It is expected to cost about $150,000.
Hanson said the unit is the size of several desks and is anchored to the wash basin where it screens wash water samples for pathogens, allergens and toxins such as E. coli and salmonella.
The system’s computer software could also analyze field produce and irrigation water.
