Lighting Technology Controls Listeria Contamination
Although the Listeria outbreak originating with Whittier Farms has questioned the safety of the nation’s dairy supply, new technology holds the promise of protecting fresh produce from the potentially lethal bacteria among other pathogens. PureRay Lighting Technology from Global Warming Solutions replaces florescent lighting to dramatically increase the shelf life of produce, all while reducing energy costs.
According to PR-inside.com,
The PureRay Light system is a proprietary design comprised of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) assembled in arrays. Since the light itself is safe, PureRay could be deployed in production facilities, transportation and storage systems and display areas in stores.
PureRay either kills or suppresses pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, as well as E. coli, blue mold and yeasts. The technology reduces the spoiling rate of produce and stimulates its natural life processes which keep it fresh longer. The light also protects deep inside the produce tissue, not just on the surface.
The company behind PureRay, Global Warming Solutions, maintains an emphasis on reducing the effects of global warming, and PureRay will save energy consumption in a variety of ways.
PureRay lighting systems could replace fluorescent tubes in refrigerated or non-refrigerated display cases and shelves. Besides prolonging the shelf life of fresh produce by up to 50%, PureRay offers 15% energy savings over traditional under-shelf lighting solutions. PureRay offers significant improvements in energy efficiency, life-time of the lighting fixture, customer safety, product illumination, scalability and design flexibility, helping grocers meet targets for reducing their carbon footprint.
PureRay could be the next step to increasing food safety of fresh produce. Added measures to kill and suppress Listeria contamination can save lives, as the results of the Whittier outbreak has shown consumers. There have been four deaths associated with the Whittier Farms Listeria outbreak--three elderly men and an unborn baby. Read about Listeria miscarriage and Listeria wrongful death.