Epidemiological evidence shows that regular consumption of Brassicaceae is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. Cruciferous species are usually processed before eating and the real impact of cooking practices on their bioactive properties is not fully understood. We have evaluated the effect of common cooking practices (boiling, microwaving, and steaming) on the biologica...

The United States is one of few countries where the majority of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) produced are green colored and grown on raised beds with mulch and drip irrigation. Outside the U.S., most peppers are grown in greenhouses and harvested as mature, colored peppers that receive a premium value at market. Florida bell pepper producers are in direct competition with Mexico, Israel, a...

the number of vegetable processing plants has been increased during recent years in iran as many other countries. on the other hand, fresh vegetable products are susceptible to microbial contamination after harvest, processing, handling, packing and distribution. the aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the level of microbial load of vegetables during different cleaning steps in a fr...

BACKGROUND American children typically eat fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended by guidelines. This study examines whether free coupons can increase children’s fruit and vegetable intake at home. METHODS Families of the participating students received weekly coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables over a 1-month period. Pretest and posttest surveys were conducted to measure change in ...

The genome of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Weltevreden strain 2007-60-3289-1 was sequenced. The genome sequence of this fresh-vegetable isolate from Scandinavia will be useful for the elucidation of plant host factors in comparison to other serovars of S. enterica subsp. enterica.

Safety has emerged as an issue for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry with reports of several food poisoning outbreaks traced to E. Coli. Although these outbreaks generate a great deal of attention, probably many more fresh food contamination instances go undetected. While the agricultural supply chain is complex, new technologies are available that hold the promise of better track and trac...

This paper investigates how the Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP), a national program which provides funding for the distribution of free fresh fruits and vegetables to students in participating schools, affects childhood obesity. Using a panel data set, we combine matching methodology and difference-in-differences analysis to estimate the effect of the FFVP on childhood obesity outcome...

Fruit and vegetable prescription programs have been shown to increase consumption of fresh produce, but whether they have an impact on medical outcomes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of participation in a farmers' market and fruit and vegetable prescription program on changes in hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure (BP) and weight in patients with uncontrolled t...