What method do you use to buy for groceries? Do you develop a weekly menu plan and an ingredient list before going grocery shopping for just those items? Do you look through the classified ads to find the best deal before putting together a menu? Maybe you’ll meander throughout the aisles until something catches your attention.

Whether you’re a Sunday dinner fanatic, a vegetarian, or a talented sous-chef, you want cuisine that not only tastes wonderful but is also safe to eat. Everyone is concerned about food safety, especially since the number of big food recalls has increased in recent years. While some recalls must be handled with prudence, today’s consumers have higher expectations for food quality.

Food makers have reacted in response to concerns about food safety and the danger of foodborne illness. To meet strict safety, quality, and preservation criteria, many people are turning to novel solutions. These technologies utilize high-pressure methods, ultrasonic tools, pulsed electric fields, ultraviolet light, and ionizing radiation. Without including preservatives, these technologies are able to eliminate viruses and other contaminants while also extending the shelf life of things. For additional information on these key technologies, see the infographic included.