When in Doubt, Throw It Out!

When in Doubt, Throw It Out!

As we head into the Summer months and the plentiful bounty of the season's great fruits and vegetables, we want to make sure consumers do not take unnecessary chances with the possible outbreak of E.coli or salmonella.


Washing produce is always important and should always be done.

Here are the recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration:

1. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparation.

2. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded.

3. All produce 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.

4. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.

5. Drying produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel may further reduce bacteria that may be present.


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.

Contrary to popular belief.... washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended.


What About Pre-washed Produce?

Many precut, bagged, or packaged produce items like lettuce are pre-washed and ready to eat. If the package indicates that the contents have been pre-washed and ready to eat, you can use the product without further washing.
 

If you do choose to wash a product marked “pre-washed”, and “ready-to-eat,” be sure to use safe handling practices to avoid any cross-contamination. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after handling the product and wash the produce under running water just before preparing or eating.


I think that if there is ever a question of freshness or any question of safety then you should listen to your instinct.

When in doubt, throw it out. Epecially if it involves children, the elderly or those that are ill. It is never worth the chance since salmonella and E.coli can be fatal to some.


Ventura County, and the City of Oxnard in particular, are to a large extent an agricultural community.

So if you would like an agricultural flavor to your community and are looking to buy or sell here in Oxnard, CA., please be sure to give me a call.