This article explores novel cold plasma technology and its applications in food processing. The article covers the basics of plasma, its mode of action for the inactivation of microorganisms, the current state of the technology, and future challenges to commercialization. 

A recent study has demonstrated the extent to which defects on food contact surfaces in tree fruit packinghouses lowers the efficacy of sanitizers against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms.

New uses for existing technologies are being deployed in foodservice establishments to prevent persistent pathogens like Salmonella, and viral pathogens like norovirus and Hepatitis A, on surfaces where continuous sanitation and disinfection is needed. 

Ongoing research funded by the Center for Produce Safety aims to evaluate the efficacy of commercially available sanitizers against common foodborne pathogens and biofilms encountered during tree fruit harvesting, and then conduct a validation study of the best-performing treatments at commercial facilities.

A recent study is one of the first to explore the interactions between rotavirus, hepatitis A, and norovirus with biofilms comprising spoilage bacteria and lactic acid bacteria on plastic, stainless steel, and glass surfaces.