Tips

Health Officials Offer Tips For Handling Produce
Washington -- After The Latest Outbreak of Illness Possibly Linked ToContaminated Produce, The Food And Drug Administration RemindedConsumers of Steps to Keep Fresh Foods Safe.
The Fda And The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention Continue ToInvestigate The Latest Outbreak, Which is Thought to be Linked ToProduce Contaminated With Salmonella Bacteria. Reports of IllnessPeaked in Late September; Health Officials Believe The Outbreak is NowOver.
To Reduce The Risk of Foodborne Illness From Fresh Produce, The FdaRecommends:
--When Buying Fresh Produce, Avoid Items That Are Bruised or Damaged.When Choosing Fresh-Cut Produce, Like Half a watermelon or BaggedSalad Mix, Pick Only Those Items That Are Refrigerated or SurroundedBy ice. Consumers Should Bag Fresh Fruits And Vegetables SeparatelyFrom Meat, Poultry And Seafood at The Store.
--Once Home, Perishable Fresh Fruit And Vegetables -- LikeStrawberries, lettuce, Herbs And Mushrooms -- Are Best Maintained ByStoring in a Clean Refrigerator at 40 Degrees Fahrenheit or Cooler.All Precut or Peeled Produce Should be Refrigerated Within Two Hours.
--Pre-Washed, Bagged Produce Can be Used Without Further Washing, ButIt's ok to Wash it Again Before Eating. Any Such Produce Sold in OpenBags Should be Washed Before Using. Cut Away Bruised or Damaged AreasOn Fresh Fruit And Vegetables. Toss it if it Looks Rotten. And AlwaysWash Hands With Soap And water Before And After Handling Fresh Produce.
--All Unpackaged Fruit And Vegetables, or if Packaged But Not MarkedPre-Washed, Should be Washed Under Running water -- Even if It's ThenPeeled -- Before Eating. This Includes Produce From The Farmer'sMarket or Home Garden. Health Officials Don't Recommend Using Soap,Detergent or Commercial Produce Washes. a Brush is Fine For WashingFirm Produce, Like Melons And cucumbers. Drying Produce With a CleanCloth Towel or Paper Towel May Further Eliminate Bacteria.
--In The Kitchen, Use Different Utensils For Fruit And Vegetables AndFor Raw Meat, Poultry or Seafood. Also, Wash Cutting Boards, CounterTops, Dishes And Utensils With Hot water And Soap After Preparing RawMeat, Poultry And Seafood if They're to be Used to Prepare ProduceEaten Raw. Cutting Boards And Counter Tops Can be Cleaned PeriodicallyWith a Solution of One Teaspoon of Chlorine Bleach to One Quart OfWater. Plastic Cutting Boards Can be Washed in The Dishwasher.
Lr From Nottingham England
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