Home & Garden Information Center

Safe Handling of Produce

HGIC 3517

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Fresh fruits and vegetables are both nutritious and delicious and play an important role in good health. As you enjoy fresh produce it is important to handle these products safely in order to reduce the risks of foodborne illness.

Harmful bacteria that may be in the soil or water where produce grows may come in contact with the fruits and vegetables and contaminate them. Or, fresh produce may become contaminated after it is harvested, such as during preparation or storage. Help protect yourself and your family from illness by following these safe handling tips.

Buying Tips

• Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged.
• When selecting fresh-cut produce — such as half a watermelon or bagged mixed salad greens — choose only those items that have been refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
• Keep fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry and seafood products when packing them to take home from the market.

Storage Tips

• Certain perishable fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs and mushrooms) can be best maintained by storing in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40 °F or below. For specific storage recommendations, see HGIC 3483, Selecting and Storing Fruits & Vegetables.
• All produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled should be refrigerated within two hours to maintain both quality and safety.
• Keep your refrigerator set at 40 °F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check!

Preparation Tips

• Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Produce that looks rotten or moldy should be discarded.
• Many pre-cut, bagged produce items like lettuce are pre-washed. If so, it will be stated on the packaging. This pre-washed, bagged produce can be used without further washing, or as an extra measure of caution, it can be washed just before serving. Pre-cut or pre-washed produce in open bags should be washed before using.
• All unpackaged fruits and vegetables, as well as those packaged and not marked pre-washed, should be thoroughly washed before eating. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home, or produce that is purchased from a grocery store or farmer’s market. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking.
• Even if you plan to peel the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first.
• Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended.
• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
• Drying produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel may further reduce bacteria that may be present.

Safety Tips

• Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with hot water and soap after preparing raw meat, poultry and seafood products and before preparing produce that will not be cooked. Another option is to keep separate cutting boards for raw produce and raw meats.
• For added protection, kitchen sanitizers can be used on cutting boards and countertops periodically. A solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water may be used as a disinfectant.
• Plastic and other non-porous cutting boards may be washed in the dishwasher.

Focus on Juices

Most of the juices sold in the U.S. are processed (for example, “pasteurized”) to kill harmful bacteria. But when fruits and vegetables are fresh-squeezed and left untreated, harmful bacteria from the inside or the outside of the produce can become a part of the finished product. Those at risk for foodborne illness should not drink unpasteurized juice unless it is brought to a boil first.

• Some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills and farmer markets sell packages and containers of juice made on site and not pasteurized or otherwise treated to kill harmful bacteria.
• These untreated products should be kept in the refrigerated section of the store or on ice, and must be labeled with the following warning: WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
• Juices that are fresh squeezed and sold by the glass — such as at farm markets, at roadside stands, or in some restaurants or juice bars — may not be pasteurized or otherwise treated to ensure safety. Warning labels are not required for these products.
• If you or someone in your family is at risk for foodborne illness, and you cannot determine if a juice has been processed to destroy harmful bacteria, either don’t drink it or bring it to a boil to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.

Focus on Raw Sprouts

Raw sprouts that are served on salads, wraps and sandwiches may contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Rinsing sprouts first will not remove bacteria. Home-grown sprouts also present a health risk if they are eaten raw or lightly cooked.

• To reduce the risk of illness, do not eat raw sprouts such as bean, alfalfa, clover or radish sprouts.  All sprouts should be cooked thoroughly before eating to reduce the risk of illness.
• This advice is particularly important for children, the elderly and persons with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at risk of developing serous illness due to foodborne disease.

For information on how to preserve fruits and vegetables see the Food Safety and Preservation section at http://hgic.clemson.edu. South Carolina residents may call the toll-free number (1-888-656-9988) to speak to an information specialist.

Sources:

1. U.S. FDA (November 2005). Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html
2. U.S. FDA (November 2006). FDA Issues Advice to Consumers to Reduce Risk of Foodborne Illness from Fresh Produce. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01503.html

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