Post-packaging application of pulsed light for microbial decontamination of solid foods: A review

• Pulsed light (PL) decontamination is reviewed with regard to gentle food preservation.
• Suitability for in-package PL application is discussed in relation to relevant packaging materials.
• Efficacy of PL when applied to in-package and out-of-package applications is explained.
• Interactions between PL, food product and packaging materials are discussed.

Non-thermal processes have become increasingly popular over the last decades. As one of the emerging non-thermal technologies, pulsed light (PL) represents a fast, tailored and residue-free technology that — via high frequency, high intensity pulses of broad-spectrum light rich in the UV fraction — is capable of inactivating microbial cells and spores.This review provides some updated information on PL and its suitability for surface decontamination of solid matrices such as food and food-contact materials. The focus is on post-packaging application, which allows treatment of the packaged food thus avoiding undesirable recontamination. Furthermore, prerequisites for in-package application, the efficacy of the treatment compared with the non-packaged pendant and the alteration of both the product and packaging material accomplished by PL are discussed. In the case of packaging material, not only physical stability and mechanical stability but also chemical migration and possibly arising safety concerns are highlighted.Industrial relevanceThis review offers a comprehensive survey of the use of pulsed light for the decontamination of unpackaged as well as packaged solid foods and associated food contact materials. Based on this background, food scientists as well as research and development can develop suited packaging concepts and optimize the treatment with regard to decontamination efficiency, product quality and safety.