Useful Postharvest Websites

Most Useful and Unrestricted Internet Sites for Postharvest Information

Comprehensive Postharvest Handling Resources

• http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu - University of California Postharvest Technology Center. This website contains produce fact sheets and other handling information for specific products, an extensive library of postharvest publications, a bookstore of for sale publications, a yellow pages for postharvest equipment and supplies, a calendar of events organized by the Postharvest Technology Center At UC Davis and around the world.
• http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/hb66/contents.html - New Edition of USDA Agricultural Handbook 66 (Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables and Florist and Nursery Stocks)

Global Postharvest Handling

• Postharvest information site of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Repository of global postharvest research & development
• World Vegetable Center Postharvest Information
• Postharvest Education Foundation (training in postharvest technology)
• International Directory of Postharvest Suppliers - Directory One | Directory Two
• African Postharvest Losses Information System

Other University and Commodity Specific Postharvest Handling

• University of California Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (emphasis on stone fruits, kiwifruits, and grapes)
• Production and Handling of Avocado Information
• University of Florida Postharvest Group
• University of Florida Citrus Resources Website
• California Citrus Research Board – supported research reports
• Diane Barrett, Fruit and Vegetable Processing Information
• Washington State University postharvest information (emphasis on apple, pear, and cherry)
• North Carolina State University postharvest information
• University of Missouri, Global Agribusiness Program, Postharvest Information
• Reducing postharvest loss in corn, wheat and oilseeds
• A summary of published information about effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fruits, vegetables, and ornamental products
• Sydney Postharvest Laboratory information
• Chain of Life Network® website about requirements for flowers and ornamentals

Quality Standards

• FAO-WHO Food Standards
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service information on quality standards, transportation, and marketing
• European Standards for Fruit and Vegetables
• Brochures of the OECD International Fruit and Vegetable Standards

Pesticides, Additives, Organics, and Quarantine Requirements

• Labels and material safety datasheets for pesticides
• International Maximum Residue Limit Database (Pesticide residue information)
• Homologa^TM Global Crop protection Products Database about plant protection products and their Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
  
• FAO-WHO Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications
• National organic program standards
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service information on phytosanitary and quarantine requirements
• Methyl bromide phase out information
• Methyl bromide alternatives outreach information
• Manufacturer approved and indemnified crop protection label database

Nutrition

• Gateway to U.S. government information on human nutrition and nutritive value of foods
• USDA interactive website about application of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines to individual consumers
• Composition of foods
• Produce for Better Health Foundation’s promotion of produce consumption
• U.S. government (CDC, DHHS, NCI) site for promotion of produce consumption

Food Safety, Traceability, and Defense

• Partnership for Food Safety Education
• Gateway to U.S. government information on food safety
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Guidance Documents on Food Safety
• USDA's food safety resources for small-scale producers
• University of California’s food safety information
• University of California’s Good Agricultural Practices
• Center for Produce Safety, University of California at Davis
• Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS)
• Food defense and emergency response guidance documents
• GLOBALGAP is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe
• Current information about the produce traceability initiative
• 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 us know.

-Marita Cantwell, (micantwell@ucdavis.edu)