The ability to generate low temperature plasma at atmospheric pressure offers new opportunities to decontaminate biological materials, including fresh foods. In this study, strawberries were treated with atmospheric cold plasma (ACP), generated with a 60kV dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) pulsed at 50Hz, across a 40mm electrode gap, generated inside a sealed package containing ambient air (42% relative humidity). The current–voltage characteristics revealed that the plasma operated in the filamentary regime. The background microflora (aerobic mesophillic bacteria, yeast and mould) of strawberries treated for 5min was reduced by 2 log10 within 24h of post-ACP treatment. The respiration rate of ACP treated produce, measured by the closed system approach, showed no significant increase. The effect of ACP on strawberry colour and firmness was insignificant.