How to dehydrate vegetables - Ask Extension
I volunteer for a nonprofit organization that aims to glean culled/ excess produce and dehydrate it for shipment to starving people around the world. ...
Knowledgebase
How to dehydrate vegetables #869842
Asked May 23, 2024, 6:56 PM EDT
I volunteer for a nonprofit organization that aims to glean culled/ excess produce and dehydrate it for shipment to starving people around the world. I have some experience in this area, but would welcome your advice and expertise.
Barry County Michigan
Expert Response
MSU Extension's Food Safety team has Michigan FRESH bulletins on Food Preservation, including Dehydrating Produce Basics and Fresh Produce Donation Guidelines. Guidelines for preserving specific produce items can be found on either of the MI Fresh fruits or vegetables main pages.
Another resource is our Food Safety Hotline where you can talk to a Food Safety Educator live,<personal data hidden>. It operates Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Another resource is our Food Safety Hotline where you can talk to a Food Safety Educator live,<personal data hidden>. It operates Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm.
I’m wondering about microbial (pathogen) issues. I know dehydration is not a kill step, but not sure how big an issue this is. The produce will be washed before dehydration, and will be cooked before consumption. In order to simplify the process, we are not planning on blanching. Should we consider adding some type of anti microbial to the wash water ? We will be monitoring/controlling the dehydration process by Aw, targeting 0.5 -0.6. The organization I’m working with is Kalamazoo Valley Gleaners. They have a nice website if you’d like to check it out. Thank you
It sounds like you may need a variance, which is a written document issued by your local regulatory authority that authorizes a modification or waiver of one or more requirements of the Food Code. You can work with your local health department or inspector for that. Contact information for Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Unit (Food Safety is housed here) can be found here: https://www.kalcounty.com/hcs/eh/.
