Pest management in the food industry

Author： Mahroof Rizana M Hagstrum David W

Publisher： Stewart Postharvest Solutions

E-ISSN： 1745-9656|11|1|1-3

ISSN： 1745-9656

Source： Stewart Postharvest Review, Vol.11, Iss.1, 2015-03, pp. : 1-3

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Abstract

Pest management in the food industry is in part a response of the food processors, transporters, warehousers and retailers to consumer demand for a safe and wholesome food supply and government regulations meant to monitor and regulate food safety. Integrated pest management (IPM) as discussed by Trematerra and Fleurat-Lessard in this issue provides a safe and realistic program for the food industry with accurate pest identification and monitoring combined with optimal timing of pest control using economic thresholds to prevent insects from exceeding legal standards. Pest management professionals and consultants may be needed to develop pest management practices that comply with legal requirements while minimizing economic losses along the postharvest food marketing chain. Industry must keep insect numbers low while keeping pesticide residues below the legal tolerances. To prevent future control failures, they must do what they can to prevent insects from becoming resistant to pesticides. In the future industry will have new technologies to make the task of food security easier and more regulations that will need to be met.