Abstract: A chlorine dioxide solution is sprayed onto produce that includes at least one contaminant which can be debris, soil, fungus and/or organic chemicals. Sprayers are used to spray the chloride dioxide solution on the produce to wash the contaminant from the produce. The produce may be placed on a conveyor and the conveyor may be used to move the produce under the sprayers while the sprayers are used to spray chlorine dioxide solution onto the produce. The conveyor may include rotating brushes that come in contact with the produce, such that the brushes that brush the produce and mechanically remove debris and residue from the produce. Rinsing sprayers may be provided over the conveying path downstream of the sprayer that sprays the chlorine dioxide solution on the produce. The rinsing sprayers may be used to spray the produce with potable rinse water.

Abstract: A method for treating fresh produce to remove debris and inhibit the growth of fungus on the produce and a method for treating contaminants in process water. According to the present invention, the produce is submerged in process water in an amount sufficient to clean substantially all debris from the surface of the produce, inhibit growth of fungus on the produce and treat contaminants in the process water.