Food Safety Tips (Produce)

Amid the cantaloupe recall it’s important to refresh ourselves on how to avoid harmful bacteria like Listeria on our fruits and vegetables.

The FDA recommends consumers to thoroughly washed produce under running water before eating. It’s also important to keep product separate from meat and polutry and avoid any cross contamination.

Here are some other tips from the FDA:

Buying Tips for Fresh Produce

You can help keep produce safe by making wise buying decisions at the grocery store.

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

Storage Tips for Fresh Produce

Proper storage of fresh produce can affect both quality and safety.

Keep your refrigerator set at 40° F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to check!
To maintain quality of fresh produce:
- Certain perishable fresh 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. If you’re not sure whether an item should be refrigerated to maintain quality, ask your grocer.
- All produce that is purchased pre-cut or peeled should be refrigerated to maintain both quality and safety.
- Keep your refrigerator set at 40° F or below. Use a fridge thermometer to check!

Preparation Tips for Fresh Produce

When preparing any fresh produce, begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparation.

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

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. 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.

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.

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Food Safety Tips (Produce)

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