Dive Brief:
- To reduce the risk of cross-contamination and foodborne illness in spinach and other leafy greens, scientists "are optimizing an inexpensive titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst that companies could add to the rinse water or use to coat equipment surfaces that come into contact with the leaves as they are processed. When TiO2 absorbs light, it produces a strong oxidant that kills bacteria," according to the American Chemical Society.
- Greens are already commercially washed before heading to the grocery store. However, the chemicals meant to kill the bacteria are not always effective, because spinach leaves have grooves in them, which the chemicals do not always reach.
- Spinach or other leafy greens were linked to 18 food-poisoning outbreaks over the past 10 years, the American Chemical Society reported.
Dive Insight:
According to the American Chemical Society, Nichola Kinsinger, Ph.D., said that "scientists have estimated that 99 percent of food-borne illnesses from leafy greens can be traced back to disinfection issues." As a result, many scientists have dedicated their research to finding solutions for better attacking the bacteria, especially E. coli, such as specialized produce washes and other food safety technologies.
Food has been found to be the major carrier of E. coli in the U.S., according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recent CDC data also showed that the number of foodborne illnesses reported each year has shown little to no decrease since 2006, though certain states struggle with foodborne illnesses more than others.
U.S. food recalls and costs in general are on the rise, though Blue Bell announced a return of its products to retailers this week after its full product recall connected with listeria contamination in April.
However, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the food supply is safer than ever before. "I think it's unfortunate if people perceive that the food supply is less safe because there are recalls," Jennifer McEntire, the vice president of science operations at the GMA, told Food Dive in April.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would be cracking down on food safety infractions. Former owner of Peanut Corporation of America Stewart Parnell may receive a life sentence following his conviction in a case involving a salmonella-contaminated peanut butter outbreak that killed nine and sickened hundreds of consumers.