News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         July 16, 2007

Fresh Produce and Food Safety

Summer and autumn provide great opportunities for good, fresh, local produce. Many farms give you the option to Pick Your Own, offering a fun way to introduce the whole family to the pleasures of fresh produce.

Do remember to follow a few safety tips with locally grown produce, in the same way you would for that produced elsewhere.

• Select produce that is not damaged or heavily soiled.
• Refrigerate perishable fresh fruits, fresh-cut produce or mixed salads. Keep these foods separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood.
• Wash your hands before preparing food.
• Wash produce before use under running water, removing damaged or bruised areas on fruit and vegetables.

Do not forget that some of the bacteria naturally found in the environment can cause illness. Washing produce will remove a majority of the bacteria found on the food surface.

If you have selected produce that is not organically grown, washing will help to remove a majority of any residual pesticides or herbicides. 

For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Andrew Barton

Manager, Food Safety

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 353