EFSA Report Reinforces Citrocide® Fresh-Cut® System's Disinfection Model

The Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System, developed by Citrosol, complies exactly with the recommendations that EFSA experts have highlighted as fundamental in the post-harvest process of washing minimally processed fruits and vegetables: maintaining a rigorous control of disinfectant concentrations to ensure the microbiological safety of the water. Thanks to its continuous monitoring and automatic control, this system ensures that peracetic acid (PAA) concentrations are always kept within the appropriate operational limits, thus minimizing microbiological contamination.

EFSA emphasizes the need for precise control in minimally processed foods

In a recently published Scientific Opinion, EFSA experts stress the importance of monitoring and managing disinfectant concentration within appropriate operational limits to mitigate microbiological risk in wash water in the fresh-cut industry. In line with this recommendation, the Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System allows continuous, real-time measurement of disinfectant concentration in water through an integrated sensor, which ensures that product levels are always maintained within an optimal range. In addition, the system measures and records the water used to refresh the process. With all data recorded and analyzed, the effectiveness of the disinfection process and its complete traceability is guaranteed. Furthermore, integrating the Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System into the CitroFy platform allows for remote monitoring and support of the disinfection process.

Citrocide®, the System's PAA-based formulated biocide, offers several advantages:

• No pH control is required as PAA is effective over a wide pH and temperature range.
• Does not generate disinfection by-products that can be potentially hazardous to people or the environment.
• Fully complies with European and U.S. legislation.
• It is certified organic, as the formulation is certified as an input for organic agriculture (BIO) according to EU and US standards.

This combination of automation, safety and robustness makes the Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System an efficient and sustainable solution for maintaining the hygienic conditions of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable wash water. Read more about the new EFSA recommendations on microbiological risks related to post-harvest wash water.

About Citrosol

Although officially founded in 1964 as Productos Citrosol, S.A., the company’s activity in postharvest treatment and technology began in the 1960s within Electroquímica del Serpis, S.A., both based in Potries, Valencia. Following significant organic growth over the past 10–15 years, Citrosol now has 109 employees, including 8 posted in various countries and at its subsidiary in South Africa, Citrosol South Africa Pty, and Peru. The company’s facilities in Potries include an R&D&I laboratory and a pilot plant of over 1,200 m². This organic growth is largely due to its strong innovative character, having received the CEPYME Innovation Award in 2015 and 2020, and the 2020 Innovation in Business Award from the Valencia Chamber of Commerce.

Citrosol began as a specialist in postharvest treatments and technology for citrus fruits, but for more than a decade, thanks to its R&D&I efforts, it has been developing solutions to extend the commercial life of avocados, peppers, tomatoes, peeled garlic, and other fruits and vegetables. Currently, Citrosol is launching its solution for the fresh-cut segment, the Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System, which significantly reduces the water and carbon footprint in the production of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Through all its treatments and technologies, Citrosol plays a major role in reducing food loss and waste in fresh produce.