How to Choose, Store and Prepare Fresh Produce
Food Safety Guide for Raw Fruits and Vegetables
Nov 17, 2008
Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals and should be part of a growing child’s diet. However, busy parents sometimes overlook a few important things when it comes to choosing, storing and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables for their kids. Here are some fresh food safety tips provided by the Melbourne Market Authority.
Choosing Fresh Food
When shopping for fruits and vegetables, make sure they are not bruised, damaged, moldy or smell strange. Produce with wilted leaves and dull-looking skin should be avoided as well. Some shoppers have the habit of tasting loose fruits on display shelves before buying them. Avoid doing that. Fresh food should only be consumed after it is thoroughly washed.
If several types of produce are selected, put each in an individual paper or plastic bag before putting them all in the big shopping bag. Fresh fruits and vegetables should also be put separately from other raw foods such as meat, seafood and dairy products to reduce the chances of cross contamination. On hot days or during summer, shoppers should put fresh produce in cooler bags if they are not returning home immediately after finishing their food shopping.
Storing Fresh Food
Ideally, if perishable fresh fruits and vegetables are not going to be consumed right after being brought home, store them in the refrigerator below 4°C. Refrigerate all cut and peeled fresh produce within two hours. Unconsumed fresh produce left in the refrigerator for more than three days should be discarded.
Also, do not refrigerate leftover cut fruits and vegetables that have been left at room temperature for more than two hours. After that period, these are breeding grounds for germs. Storing them in the fridge may do more harm than good.
Washing Fresh Food
Remove outer layers of leafy vegetables before washing them. Throw away any damaged or rotten parts. Then wash the fresh produce under cool, running water tap to wash off all dirt and sand. Remember, always wash fresh produce before eating. However, do not use soaps or detergents when washing fresh fruits and vegetables as it may cause chemical contamination. After washing the produce, dry it with a clean paper towel or cloth.
Preparing Fresh Food
Hand hygiene is important where preparation of fresh fruits and vegetables is concerned. Be sure to wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing them.
When cutting or peeling, discard any bruised areas on the fruits or vegetables as germs can grow on such areas. Then clean the knife to prevent possible contamination to the rest of the produce. Use hot water and soap to clean all utensils such as knives and peelers as well as surfaces like chopping boards and counter tops that have come into contact with the fresh produce.
Prepared fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed as soon as possible, preferably within two hours after they are prepared.
The process of choosing, storing, washing and preparing fresh produce properly may seem troublesome but these are essential steps to ensure the family gets the most from fresh greens and fruits. There are no safer and better ways for the kids to enjoy their fruits and salads.
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