No Single Treatment Can Eliminate Fruit and Vegetable Risk, Report States

A Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) report has concluded that no single treatment exists to eliminate all potentially harmful microorganisms in all fresh fruits and vegetables. Rather, only a comprehensive food safety system from farm to table will minimize the risk of foodborne illness, states the report titled, Food Safety and Fresh Produce: An Update.

The basis of the publication is the fact that U.S. consumption of fresh produce has increased substantially in recent years, but potentially significant food safety risks are associated with fresh produce, and it is important to manage these risks. The publication provides updated information on the pathogens most commonly associated with fresh produce, recent trends of produce-related illness outbreaks, industry responses to food safety concerns, and research and policy trends.

The authors stress that consumers should be aware of illness outbreaks as they occur, heed official warnings, and follow good food-handling practices. The authors also indicate that awareness and commitment by growers, processors, and consumers alike will help ensure that fresh fruits and vegetables are safe as well as healthy.

The full report is at the CAST website

Source: Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN)