To Wash or not to Wash: Raw Meats vs Raw Produce
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According to the current food safety guidelines of the new 2005 Dietary
Guidelines for all Americans, FACSs should not wash raw meats and poultry before
cooking as this will increase the chances of cross-contamination.
Should you wash raw meats before cooking at home?
The
answer is No. When FACSs purchase raw meats and poultry from the grocery store,
they do not need to wash the raw meats before cooking. Research studies have
shown that washing raw meats may reduce numbers of bacteria. However, in a home
setting, the washing process increases the chances of cross-contamination of
disease causing bacteria from raw meats/raw poultry to other ready-to-eat foods
and food contact surfaces in the kitchen. It is very important that FACSs take
special care to avoid cross-contamination when handling raw meats and poultry at
home.
Do you need to wash raw produce before eating or
cooking?
The answer is Yes. You should always wash your fresh
produce before consuming or cooking at home. Produce needs to be washed,
scrubbed, and peeled before being eaten or cooked. Because produce is made up of
a variety of plant parts, specific handling techniques for each produce are
different. Wash produce under cold running water, with rubbing and brushing
where necessary.
Do you need to wash ready-to-eat
fresh cut produce before cooking or eating?
The answer can be
"Yes" or "No" depending on the situation.
No.
Ready-to-eat, pre-washed, bagged produce can be used without further washing, if
kept refrigerated and does not exceed the "use �by" date. Follow these safe food
handling practices.
- Refrigerate the product after purchase;
- Use only clean hands, utensils, or dishes in preparing the product; and
- Discard the product when the "use-by" date has expired.
Yes: If
you desire to wash the ready-to-eat fresh cut produce again. If so, the produce
should always be washed under running water.
Yes: If the
pre-cut or pre-washed produce are sold in open bags or
containers.
Source: Research News You Can Use http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu