Handbook of Food Preservation

The processing of food is no longer simple or straightforward, but is now a highly inter-disciplinary science. A number of new techniques have developed to extend shelf-life, minimize risk, protect the environment, and improve functional, sensory, and nutritional properties. The ever-increasing number of food products and preservation techniques creates a great demand for an up to date handbook that will facilitate understanding of the methods, technology, and science involved in the manipulation of these conventional and sophisticated preservation methods. The term food preservation includes methods such as canning, pickling, drying and freeze-drying, irradiation, pasteurization , smoking, and the addition of chemical additives. Food preservation has become an increasingly important component of the food industry as fewer people eat foods produced on their own lands, and as consumers expect to be able to purchase and consume foods that are out of season. Some traditional methods of preserving food have been shown to have a lower energy input and carbon footprint, when compared to modern methods. Containing fundamental and practical aspects of today’s current and emerging preservation methods, this handbook will help practicing industrial and academic food scientists, technologists, and engineers develop high-quality, safe products through better understanding and control of the processes.