Just Like Mom Said....Wash

I'm sure you've heard the news from Texas health officials today who are investigating the deaths of 5 people due to cases of celery being contaminated with listeriosis, sad. This same plant processes all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and distributes them to schools, hospitals, and restaurants. 

We need to be vigilant these days about washing and/or peeling our produce, if necessary. Farming practices have changed tremendously over the years, leaving consumers to choose for themselves how to best handle the circumstances. 

TOP 5 REASONS TO WASH AND/OR PEEL YOUR PRODUCE

1. BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT WASH THEIR HANDS

and they are handling what you and your family put into your mouths. Interestingly enough, a survey taken by the Journal of Food Protection found that only 6% of consumers seldom or never wash fresh produce, more than 35% don't bother to wash melons, and nearly half don't even wash wash their own hands before handling fresh produce. I find this amazing. What ever happened to the standard of 'washing before meals, and/or handling food'. Sad enough, many people become extremely ill and even die because such a simple measure was overlooked, or seemed to be 'too much of a bother'. I've worked in many restaurants myself. Some had much better hygiene than others. One specific restaurant, regarded as more sophisticated, never cleaned up anything until the 'Food Inspectors' would come. The food inspectors always called ahead to let management know they were coming. 

2. MUCH PRODUCE IS NOW IMPORTED

What does this mean to us? Other countries have their own standards of quality. They are also spraying pesticides the U.S. no longer sprays itself. Much of the imported produce comes into the States without being inspected. 

3. E.COLI

Nasty stuff. Turns out there are seven products to be especially mindful of:

- Tomatoes

- Melon (especially cantalope)

- Lettuce

- Sprouts

- Green onions

- Grapes

- Any Pre-cut produce

4. CONTAMINATION

Contamination from dust, dirt, and bacteria. Now-a-days produce takes a long road trip before it arrives at your market. It sits in many places, rides in many trucks, and gets handled by many people, all before you take it home.

5. Bugs

Yes, there are far too many to list, and their symptoms once ingested too many to name. Just know you do not want it. Anyone who has ever meet "Sammy" (salmonella), knows what I'm talking about.

Simple things we can do team to keep our produce cleaner:

Wash all produce thoroughly, using plenty of running water and a scrub brush, or a vegetable brush. Also, be sure family members, including the kids, are washing their hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, and before eating.