Plastic is easier to clean and less porous than wood. Wash cutting boards with hot water, soap and a scrub brush to remove food particles. Then sanitize boards by putting through the automatic dishwasher or rinsing in a solution of 1 tsp. Store cut, peeled and broken-apart fruits and vegetables, such as melon balls, at or below 40 degrees F, in the refrigerator. People whose immune systems may be compromised people who are very young or very old, have a chronic disease or take certain medicines should stick with specially treated or pasteurized juices and cider.
Pasteurization kills harmful levels of bacteria.
When buying from a salad bar, avoid fruits and vegetables that look brownish, slimy or dried out. These are signs that the product has been held at an improper temperature. Rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary to prevent illness.