Consumers have become increasingly aware of food-borne illnesses, such as those caused by E. coli O157:H7, and the need for safer processing methods is clear.

handling and storage are significant contributors to post-harvest food loss

Food loss is a significant issue in the salad industry, particularly due to inconsistency in harvesting and de-coring techniques.

Post-harvest food loss refers to the reduction in quantity and quality of food from harvest to consumption. In the salad industry, this loss can be substantial due to poor handling, over handling and the perishable nature of leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale

the journey from farm to table presents several intricate challenges for salad processors