Tip of the Day
Keep Your Produce Safe
Most health risks that are linked to produce can be eliminated with proper food preparation, like cleaning produce thoroughly. We think to clean produce like apples before we eat them, but do you wash fruits with an inedible peel like bananas and oranges?
- Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables with cool tap water immediately before eating.
- Wash produce before you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren't transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable. Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There's no need to use soap or a produce wash. For firm produce such as melons and cucumbers, scrub with a clean produce brush.
- Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating. Remove and discard outer leaves of lettuce.
- Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.
For more information on keeping your produce safe, visit www.homefoodsafety.org.
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Reviewed December 2012