Most of us know, improper handling of raw animal products can cause serve illness but fruit and vegetables can also be dangerous, even deadly. Recent nationwide food recalls of romaine lettuce, spinach, melons, cucumbers and salad mix have all been tied to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses caused by E.coli, Salmonella or Listeria.
POTENTIAL FOR CONTAMINATION
Do you wash the outside of your melons before you cut into them? You should. Cutting into and handling un-washed melon can transfer pathogens to the fruit.
Thirty three people died in a 2011 Listeria outbreak from eating cantaloupe. Many food-borne pathogens are found in soil. “Cantaloupe rinds are full of nooks and crannies, each perfect for harboring bacteria and allowing it to flourish.” – Phil Tocco, (Agrifood safety educator)
Various pathogens, including listeria, are commonly found in manure or human waste. Both are commonly used as fertilizers, but they must not be applied within 120 days of harvest of the fruits or vegetables grown in the field — so they should not present a problem if growers know about and obey that regulation. But do they?
Another transmission culprit can be a field worker’s dirty hands. Bacteria can easily travel from workers’ hands to the fruit they are picking. I once had someone tell me they didn’t need to wash fruit that was organic. You definitely do! Organic only protects you from harmful pesticides.
Washing and Preparing your Fruits and Vegetables
Before eating any produce, the FDA recommends these cleaning tips:
- washing the hands both before and after food preparation
- cutting away any damaged areas before preparing or eating
- rinsing produce that has a skin before peeling it to prevent dirt and bacteria from transferring into the edible parts
- rubbing produce under running water
- using a clean vegetable brush to scrub hard produce, such as melons and cucumbers
- drying fruits and vegetables with a clean cloth or paper towel
- removing the outermost leaves of lettuce and cabbage
People should store fresh, perishable produce in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). It’s not necessary to wash produce labeled as prewashed.
Symptoms of foodborne illness can include:
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea, which may be bloody
- vomiting
- a fever
- headaches
- muscle aches
Severe Listeria infections may also cause:
- stiff neck
- confusion
- loss of balance
- convulsions
Fruits and vegetables are delicious, and an essential part of the human diet. They are nutrient dense, low in calories, and high in fiber. Take the necessary steps to ensure they’re safe and enjoy them this Labor Day!
Happy celebrating. ~ Linda
The GRATITUDE Life 