A produce wash system, method, and short-term wash treatment are provided. For example, the produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment is applied using a spray device that creates micrometer sized droplets, and wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A produce wash system, method, and short-term wash treatment are provided. For example, the produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment is applied using a spray device that creates micrometer sized droplets, and wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

Methods and systems are described for providing improved food processing systems by treating wash water in a wash stage of the food processing system with a biocide. Sufficient biocide may be added to significantly reduce the levels of bacteria in the wash stage, which can prevent problems associated with bacteria in downstream processes.

Methods and systems are described for providing improved food processing systems by treating wash water in a wash stage of the food processing system with a biocide. Sufficient biocide may be added to significantly reduce the levels of bacteria in the wash stage, which can prevent problems associated with bacteria in downstream processes.

Disclosed is a food wash sensor system that includes a sensor disposed along a fluid flow path that can circulate a wash fluid through the food wash sensor system. The sensor can detect a concentration of an analyte in the wash fluid. The system also includes a reference fluid reservoir including a reference fluid, the reference fluid including a predetermined concentration of the analyte in solution, a delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid flow path and operable to supply the reference fluid to the fluid flow path upstream from the sensor while maintaining the sensor in place along the fluid flow path, and a control and monitoring system configured to receive a signal from the sensor, the signal indicating the concentration of the analyte in the reference fluid at a first time, and control calibrating the sensor and validating the sensor over time based on the received signal.

Disclosed is a food wash sensor system that includes a sensor disposed along a fluid flow path that can circulate a wash fluid through the food wash sensor system. The sensor can detect a concentration of an analyte in the wash fluid. The system also includes a reference fluid reservoir including a reference fluid, the reference fluid including a predetermined concentration of the analyte in solution, a delivery system fluidly coupled to the fluid flow path and operable to supply the reference fluid to the fluid flow path upstream from the sensor while maintaining the sensor in place along the fluid flow path, and a control and monitoring system configured to receive a signal from the sensor, the signal indicating the concentration of the analyte in the reference fluid at a first time, and control calibrating the sensor and validating the sensor over time based on the received signal.

The improved wash basket of the present invention provides a modular design and configuration to enable the repair of selective component of the wash basket by individually separating them from the cylindrical frame. This reduces downtime of the wash basket and facilitates repair of the wash basket so it can be used again in a main washing vessel.

The improved wash basket of the present invention provides a modular design and configuration to enable the repair of selective component of the wash basket by individually separating them from the cylindrical frame. This reduces downtime of the wash basket and facilitates repair of the wash basket so it can be used again in a main washing vessel.

A method and apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes revolving the brushes along a travel path about a housing (14) and simultaneously spinning the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18), applying a cleaning solution to the spinning rotary brushes in a cleaning zone of the housing, then applying a spray to the spinning rotary brushes in a spray zone of the housing.

A method and apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes revolving the brushes along a travel path about a housing (14) and simultaneously spinning the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18), applying a cleaning solution to the spinning rotary brushes in a cleaning zone of the housing, then applying a spray to the spinning rotary brushes in a spray zone of the housing.