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Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated along the farm-to-table continuum. Produce used for salads - lettuce and spinach, for example - grow low to the ground, where they are likely to come in contact with contaminated fertilizers. Sometimes they’re irrigated with contaminated waters or picked by farm workers with poor hygiene practices.
Food safety hazards include Micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, moulds. Pesticides or other contaminants of produce at the farm can occur directly or indirectly. Produce may be directly contaminated by contaminated soil, water, etc.
Sources of contamination untreated or raw manure used for fertilizing. Produce that comes in contact with contaminated soil, water or feces from animals (e.g. rodents, birds, domestic animals and wildlife). Containers and/or equipment not cleaned adequately. Handling of produce by infectious workers.
The complex, multi-layered surfaces of salad produce are more difficult to clean after picking than produce with a smooth surface, such as apples or potatoes. Because fresh fruits and vegetables are usually eaten raw, they can pose a health risk if they’re not properly handled. Therefore, all produce needs to be thoroughly washed and safely prepared and handled before it is eaten.
Every year, around 76 million Americans become sick and 5,000 die from food poisoning. And it's not just spoiled meat, chicken or seafood that is to blame. It's estimated that one-third of those cases come from eating contaminated fruits and vegetables.
When 3 people died and more than 600 others were sickened after eating at the Chi Chi's restaurant chain in Pennsylvania last year, it wasn't bad meat that was to blame. It was bad onions. Experts say any fruit or vegetable can pose a health risk. "These can all carry illnesses such as salmonella, e-Coli hepatitis A and some others possibly that we haven't even identified yet.
WE MUST BLOCK IMPORTATION OF CONTAMINATED FOODS By U.S. Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain)
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract works extremely well for cleaning all types of vegetables that may harbor germs, etc. It will eliminate the risks associated with fresh produce contamination.
Veggie, Fruit, Meat and fish Cleaner : Contamination is a real concern with more and more fruits and vegetables being imported daily. For sink washing; Add (?) or more drops grapefruit seed extract to a sink full of cold water and briefly soak vegetables, fruits, salads, meats, or poultry. For spray washing; add (?) drops grapefruit seed extract in 2-cups water and spray (or you may pour this solution into a small bowl and place lettuce or other vegetables including meat into the mix and submerse). The latter method is by far the most effective. This mix can also be used to extend the shelf life of all vegetables and fruits by 3-4 times, especially berries.
