Food safety improvement?
28 Nov 2006
US government scientists report that a natural, edible coating could help protect fresh foods from E. coli and other bacteria. Researchers at the Department of Agriculture writing in the Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry say three natural antimicrobial compounds may adhere longer to fresh produce than do conventional, water-based washes and so provide a more concentrated method of killing bacteria. Tara McHugh, a food chemist at the department, says this effect may be due to the fact that the coatings contain sticky sugars and fats.