The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
Summer presents great opportunities to enjoy fresh produce with enticing gardens, massive fields, and abundant fresh markets. The temptation to pick a berry or a tomato and plop it into our mouths is often too great to ignore. However, you may want to think twice about doing so. While many people often associate foodborne pathogens with meat or poultry, foodborne hazards also exist in fresh produce. Approximately 1 in 6 people get sick each year from foodborne diseases. This means approximately 48 million people suffer from a foodborne illness. Among those who contract a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized and approximately 3,000 die.
Did you know as many as 20 people touch fresh produce at a store or market before the actual purchase? Remember, somebody has to pick them, sort them, place them on a truck, and more throughout the process of getting them to the store. Even homegrown and organic fruits and vegetables pose a risk since soil harbors pathogens, and surrounding fields may be sprayed with pesticides that can float onto a garden. Further, domestic and wild animals may contaminate a garden.
One of the best ways to prevent foodborne illnesses is to simply rinse off the food. Rinsing the food reduces exposure to pathogens that can make us ill. It also helps to remove chemical and pesticide residues. Even if you don’t plan on eating the skin, wash it anyway since bacteria from the outside can enter the inside of the food. Separate fruit and vegetables from uncooked meat to avoid cross-contamination. Avoid buying cut fruit and vegetables that are not wrapped and stored in a chilled place. And most importantly, wash your hands before and after handling fresh produce and meat.
Fresh produce is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Protect yourself by handling it properly.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
