Postharvest water includes any water that contacts fresh produce at or after harvest. Postharvest water use may be a necessary part of fruit and vegetable production, but it is also a potential source of contamination. Understanding the risks associated with postharvest water use and how to minimize them are important for produce safety. The University of Tennessee in conjunction with Cornell University and the University of Minnesota created decision trees to help growers assess the risks on their farm, as well as food safety template language, record-keeping logs and sample SOPs that you can download and tailor to your needs.
- Postharvest Water Full Portfolio
- Postharvest Water Decision Tree
- Postharvest Water Example SOP
- Postharvest Water Logsheets
- Map of Tennessee Water Quality Testing Lab Locations
Fact Sheets:
- How to Use and Monitor Chlorine (Sodium/Calcium Hypochlorite) in Fruit and Vegetable Washwater and on Equipment and Food Contact Surfaces
- Using Peroxyacetic Acid (PAA) in Fruit and Vegetable Washing and Packing
- Using Sanitizers on Organic Fruit and Vegetable Farms — Merging National Organic Program Guidelines with Good Agricultural Practices
