Promoting the food safety of fruit and vegetable-based foods and evaluating the processing potential of Oklahoma produced and/or processed specialty crops

Goals:The overall goal of this project is to increase the safety and profitability of processed fruit and vegetable products by developing new and/or higher quality products using novel ingredients and/or improved processing techniques as well as by developing new or improved food safety interventions. We expect that having more, higher quality, and safer value-added fruit and vegetable-based products will allow Oklahoma growers and processors to realize increased sales and expanded market share for their products. The development of highly-desirable fruit and vegetable-based products will also benefit consumers by giving them more choices for healthy and safe foods they can incorporate into their diets.Objectives:Identify and investigate the winemaking potential of fruit crops in Oklahoma with an emphasis on evaluating varieties, cultural practices, and winemaking techniques.Enhance the safety of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on developing effective strategies for smaller-scale growers and processors.Develop new, high-value processed specialty crop products with an emphasis on product and process development.