Selectrocide, the new wash, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year for use by growers, packers and grocers. The wash was created by SelectiveMicro Technologies, which is seeking to meet the growing demand for fruit and vegetable washes. Recent outbreaks of infections caused by eating contaminated fruit and vegetables has fuelled thedemand.
Selectrocide, an antimicrobial, produces a 99 per cent pure chlorine dioxide solution when mixed with water.
"It's long been known that chlorine dioxide is an ideal biocide for killing unwanted organisms," said Selective Micro's chief scientist Richard Hamilton. "However, previousproducts that generate chlorine dioxide have contained harmful contaminates."
Hamilton claims that field tests of the wash by processors and grocers have shown that processed fruits and vegetables can last up to 50 per cent longer using the wash. According to the test reportprovided by Selective Micro, the field trials were conducted on the cutting and processing of honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.
Selectrocide was shown to be more effective than bleach in reducing and maintaining low levels of bacteria, yeast, and mold on fresh-cut fruit and maintaining better taste and presentation,according to the company. The fruits' shelf life was extended in some cases from a typical six to eight days to up to 14 days.
Importers need washes to ensure the fruit and vegetables they receive from foreign sources do not enter the food chain with contaminants. Bacteria and fungi found on food surfaces often grow whilein the fruit is in the fields and hothouses and proliferate in transit to grocery stores.
Three outbreaks of Salmonella infections associated with eating Roma tomatoes were detected in the US and Canada in the summer of 2004. In one outbreak during June and July, about 561 people becamesick from eating the tomatoes. A single tomato-packing house in Florida was common to all three outbreaks.