“If fruit and vegetable do contain residues, consumers can be confident they are only at levels well below those that might be harmful to health.” This quote stems from an unknown source at The Food Standards Agency (FSA). Luisa Dillner, writer for The Guardian, decided to shine a light on this myth. The FSA does not know where this source came from, however they say it is not a true statement. Fruits and vegetables do carry harmful bacteria on them. This bacteria comes from the soil, and during transportation en route to supermarkets worldwide. Around the world disease outbreaks occur do to the consumption of contaminated fruits and veggies. In the United Kingdom, two outbreaks of E coli occurred in one year. Also, in Germany 48 people were killed due to the E coli virus.
The solution to the problem, according to the Food and Drug Administration in America has many steps. First, keep perishable fruit and vegetables at 0-5C in the fridge. Secondly, hand washing is imperative. Hand-washing should occur for 20 seconds with soap and water before and after preparing meals. Third, be careful not to mix meat, fruit and vegetables together or use the same utensils and chopping board. This causes direct contamination. Fourth, damaged parts of the vegetable or fruit should be cut off and thrown away. Fifth, even if you are going to peel an apple it is important to wash it first. Sixth, for potatoes, use a scrub brush to get rid of all the soil.
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People worldwide need to realize that the food they consume is not naturally clean. Hopefully, in the near future there will be a larger emphasis on cleaning food before consuming it. It is a simple task to do. However, what concerns me is that many undeveloped countries do not have access to clean water. Therefore, in their case water should be the number one priority. Throughout this semester I have learned how important staying healthy is. Health encompasses all factors of our life-and without it nothing else would be here. In class last week we look at the world death toll happening. Many people died in that 15 seconds of watching due to food related illness. It is unfortunate that people who have access to clean water do not choose to benefit from it. However, we also must see that a lot of people have not been educated on the topic of food safety. Unfortunately, in many parts of Greensboro people are homeless or living in poor areas. Their only food source is Mcdonalds, Wendy’s or donated food. I am sure that many people living below the poverty line are not concerned with how clean the food is, they are just glad to have the food in the first place. Throughout Dr. Sills lectures over the course of the semester, we have learned that change can only occur if their is a problem that affects all. This cause does affect all, some more than others. Reform will only occur if education is spread to everyone and that everyone chooses to follow.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/nov/07/dr-dillner-wash-fruit-vegetables
8 comments:
Anna, good post. This is an issue that I think about too with the pesticides being used on fruits and vegetables. It is shocking to see the amount of food related illnesses and deaths. I also think that it is important to wash foods before eating them.
This is an eye opener! I always thought that running my fruit and veggies under running water for a few seconds and keeping meat separate was enough. Good to know!
I have always been told to wash my fruits and vegetables thoroughly, though usually I just wash them under the water for a few seconds. I know that there is bacteria that can be transported on these foods, but reading this was extra reassurance that it is important to be careful and cautious of the potential bacteria I am eating..especially because I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Glad you all liked the post! It was an eye-opener for me as well.
People should always wash their fruit and vegetable just because of how much they have been through before they are eaten. They are touched grown in the ground and could become tainted of infected by something which would not make any person feel good.
Wow I found this article to be very informative. Great post! I feel the more that we are informed the less danger we are put in.
It is interesting that many people think that fruits and vegetables cannot be harmful. The solution to the problem steps where new to me. I already was aware of that you must wash your fruit but I didn’t know that if they were 0-5c should be stored in the fridge. We have to be more aware of the preparation of the food even if they are healthy.
It is interesting that many people think that fruits and vegetables cannot be harmful. The solution to the problem steps where new to me. I already was aware of that you must wash your fruit but I didn’t know that if they were 0-5c should be stored in the fridge. We have to be more aware of the preparation of the food even if they are healthy.
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