PURCHASING
Be selective.
Do not purchase bruised or damaged produce - whether it’s on sale or not!
If purchasing pre-cut produce — such as a sliced cantaloupe or bagged salad greens — choose only those items that are kept cold i.e. refrigerated, packed in ice.
Fresh fruits and vegetables must be bagged separately from meat, poultry and seafood products when packing them to take home. This is a sure way to cause illness. Cross-contamination is bound to happen if these items are bagged together.
STORAGE
Did you know that proper storage could affect quality and safety?
Store fresh fruits and vegetables (like strawberries, lettuce, herbs, and mushrooms) in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below. There shouldn’t be any mold or unidentifiable objects in your refrigerator. These things are spreading contamination, get rid of them!
All produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled must be refrigerated to maintain both quality and safety.
SEPARATE
Fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw must be kept separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products. If not cross-contamination is likely to occur. Here are a few food safety precautions:
Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry and seafood products and the preparation of produce that will not be cooked.
If you use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher after use.
PREPARATION
When preparing fresh produce, start with clean hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water 100°F (38°C) before and after preparation.
Remove any and all damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Produce that looks spoiled must be discarded.
Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home, or purchased from a grocery store or farmer’s market. Using soap, detergent or commercial produce washes is not recommended.
Whether or not you plan to peel the produce before consuming, it is still important to wash it first so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the utensil onto the food product. Melons and cucumbers and other firm veggies should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush.
Dry product with a clean paper towel to remove any remaining bacteria that may be present.
Of course eating fruits and vegetables is not the only thing that will help you maintain a healthy heart. A well balanced diet and exercise are part of the plan as well. And, I would be totally remiss if I didn’t mention that while a happy healthy heart is our number one goal - if you are lying on the floor beside the toilet and it’s because your forgot to wash your veggies; your happy healthy heart is going to feel very, very sad.
We at Food Safety Training Solutions, Inc. wish you a lifetime of love with a healthy heart.
