Most Useful Postharvest Websites

Most Useful and Unrestricted Internet Sites for Postharvest Information

January, 2012
Link to January 2012 pdf version

Comprehensive Postharvest Handling Resources

• http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu - University of California Postharvest Technology Center
• http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/hb66/index.html - A draft version of the forthcoming revision to USDA Agricultural Handbook 66 (Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables and Florist and Nursery Stocks).

Global Postharvest Handling

• http://www.fao.org/inpho/ - Postharvest information site of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• http://www.foodnet.cgiar.org/PhAction/index.htm - Global postharvest research & development
• http://www.avrdc.org/index.php?id=10 - World Vegetable Center Postharvest Information
• http://www.postharvest.org – Postharvest Education Foundation (training in postharvest technology)
• http://www.poscosecha.com and http://www.postharvest.biz - International Directory of Postharvest Suppliers.

Other University and Commodity Specific Postharvest Handling

• http://www2.uckac.edu/postharv/ - University of California Kearney Agricultural Center (emphasis on stone fruits, kiwifruits, and grapes).
• http://www.avocadosource.com - Production and Handling of Avocado Information.
• http://postharvest.ifas.ufl.edu - University of Florida Postharvest Group.
• http://flcitrus.ifas.ufl.edu - University of Florida Citrus Resources Website
• http://www.citrusresearch.org – California Citrus Research Board – supported research reports.
• http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu - Washington State University postharvest information (emphasis on apple, pear, and cherry).
• http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/ - North Carolina State University postharvest information.
• http://www.agrifoodgateway.com/fresh_produce/postharvest - University of Missouri, Global Agribusiness Program, Postharvest Information.
• http://postharvestinstitute.illinois.edu/index.html - Reducing postharvest loss in corn, wheat and oilseeds.
• http://www.hort.cornell.edu/mcp/ - A summary of published information about effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fruits, vegetables, and ornamental products.
• http://www.chainoflifenetwork.org - A comprehensive information resource about postharvest handling of floral crops.
• http://www.postharvest.com.au/ - Sydney Postharvest Laboratory information.

Quality Standards

• http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp - FAO-WHO Food Standards.
• http://www.ams.usda.gov - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service information on quality standards, transportation, and marketing.
• http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/standard/fresh/FFV-StandardsE.htm - European Standards for Fruit and Vegetables.
• http://www.oecd.org/document/21/0,3746,en_2649_33905_44188949_1_1_1_1,00.html - Brochures of the OECD International Fruit and Vegetable Standards.

Pesticides, Additives, Organics, and Quarantine Requirements

• http://www.cdms.net/manuf/manuf.asp - Labels and material safety datasheets for pesticides.
• http://www.mrldatabase.com/ - International Maximum Residue Limit Database (Pesticide residue information).
• http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp - Pesticide Residues in Food.
• http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/jecfa-additives/search.html?lang=en - FAO-WHO Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications.
• http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ - National organic program standards.
• http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/ - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service information on phytosanitary and quarantine requirements.
• http://www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr/ - Methyl bromide phase out information.
• http://www.mbao.org/ - Methyl bromide alternatives outreach information.

Nutrition

• http://www.nutrition.gov - Gateway to U.S. government information on human nutrition and nutritive value of foods.
• http://www.choosemyplate.gov - USDA interactive website about application of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines to individual consumers.
• http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl - Composition of foods.
• http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org - Produce for Better Health Foundation’s promotion of produce consumption.
• http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov - U.S. government (CDC, DHHS, NCI) site for promotion of produce consumption.

Food Safety, Traceability, and Defense

• http://www.fightbac.org - Partnership for Food Safety Education
• http://www.foodsafety.gov - Gateway to U.S. government information on food safety.
• http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/default.htm - U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance Documents on Food Safety
• http://onfarmfoodsafety.org/ - USDA's food safety resources for small-scale producers
• http://www.ucfoodsafety.ucdavis.edu – University of California’s food safety information.
• http://ucgaps.ucdavis.edu - University of California’s Good Agricultural Practices.
• http://cps.ucdavis.edu/ - Center for Produce Safety, University of California at Davis.
• http://wifss.ucdavis.edu - Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS).
• http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodDefense/FoodSecurity/default.htm - Food security guidance documents.
• http://www.globalgap.org/ - GLOBALGAP is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe.
• http://www.producetraceability.org – Current information about the produce traceability initiative.
• http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/guidance.html - US Food Drug Administration (FDA) Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables.

If you know of another Internet site that should be added to this list, please let me know.

--Adel Kader (aakader@ucdavis.edu)