Patent ID: 7258882

Claim:
A method for maintaining the integrity of an item of mushroom produce comprising the steps of: providing at least one item of mushroom produce; accepting input of said at least one item of mushroom produce; conveying said at least one item of mushroom produce for at least one process; delicately removing macrodebris from said at least one item of mushroom produce through utilizing an application selected from a group consisting of misting said at least one item of mushroom produce and dipping said at least one item of mushroom produce; applying an antibrowning agent to said at least one item of mushroom produce; exposing said at least one item of mushroom produce and said antibrowning agent to ultraviolet light; applying a surface antimicrobial ozonated water treatment to the surface of said at least one item of mushroom produce for about 5 to 60 seconds in a manner to reduce microbial load on the surface of said at least one item of mushroom produce; drying said at least one item of mushroom produce; and maintaining the consumer integrity of said at least one item of mushroom produce to at least some degree.