MICROPLASMA-BASED FAR-UVC LIGHT DECONTAMINATION APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF READY-TO-EAT MEAT PRODUCTS

The long-term goal of this project is to develop an inexpensive and easy-to-use decontamination technique with which stakeholders can minimize cross-contamination, and thus improve food safety. Its success will ultimately benefit the American people by increasing the availability and accessibility of safe and nutritious food. Our objectives on the way to achieving this goal are as follows:Objective 1: Evaluate the efficacy of microplasma-based far-UVC light for inactivating bacteria in buffer and on food-contact surfaces; Objective 2: Evaluate the efficacy of such far-UVC light for decontaminating real foods; and Objective 3: Evaluate the quality of foods with and without far-UVC light treatment.