As non-thermal processing methods are the exact and inevitable solution for these safety and quality issues, intense research must be conducted to balance these issues. These issues are more complex which can be addressed only with a wide knowledge and research on several processing methods. It is imperative for our nation to find solutions for issues that are related to food safety maintenance along with the elimination of food quality deterioration during processing of foods. The objective of this centre is to conduct research on non-thermal food processing methods to produce fresh like products with increased shelf life. Equipments on High pressure processing, pulsed electric field, pulsed light, irradiation, oscillating magnetic field are in the pipeline and will be added to this centre. These equipments are used by the scholars and doctoral students on various approaches to solve technical problems and challenges in food industries. The equipments and technologies available at CENTP are Cold plasma processing, ultrasound, ultraviolet and osmotic dehydration. The major facility in the centre is the unique equipment available for different non-thermal processing methods. As the foods are treated without heat, the foremost importance of the non-thermal processing is the maximum retention of colour, taste, appearance and nutrition content in food. The most widely used non-thermal processing techniques are high pressure processing, pulsed electric field, ultrasound, pulsed light, ultraviolet light, irradiation, oscillating magnetic field etc. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination (opens in new window).Processing of foods without the application of heat is termed as the non-thermal processing. NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. The universities named are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers and educators, in cooperation with the U.S. These animations were developed to support 'Non-Thermal Food Processing Methods to Enhance Microbial Food Safety and Quality,' a multi-state, collaborative project funded by USDA-NIFA #2011-68003-30005 and including personnel from the University of Delaware, Ohio State University, Cornell University, the University of Rhode Island, Oregon State University, Delaware State University, the University of Cincinnati and USDA ARS Eastern Regional Center.

There are strict scientific parameters and data criteria that must be achieved to establish equivalence - you cannot just use a method and hope it works! The same nonthermal method and processing parameters that may work on, say, a fruit puree or salsa may not work on oysters or whole blueberries.Д¬opyright 2015, New Mexico State University Board of Regents. However, as with any traditional processing method used to preserve food and keep it safe, such as canning or pasteurization, a processor must validate that the nonthermal method will work to destroy the specific, targeted pathogen(s) in their specific product. Exploring Specific Nonthermal Processes to Enhance the Safety of Produce and ShellfishДЇoods treated with nonthermal processes are safer to eat than untreated products (e.g., oysters, sprouts) but still require refrigeration to delay spoilage. Researchers have been studying nonthermal processing methods (methods that do not use heat) that will destroy pathogens and keep foods safe to eat, while retaining sensory attributes and nutrient content similar to raw or fresh products. Traditional food processing relies on heat to kill foodborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and parasites) to make food safe to eat. Nonthermal or Alternative Food Processing Methods to Enhance Microbial Safety and Quality Keeping Produce and Shellfish Safe to Eat Without Heat

Different food processing methods