Choosing the Best Antimicrobial Fruit and Vegetable Wash
Eating raw fruit and vegetables does the body good but comes with the risk of foodborne illness and outbreaks. When a recall happens, it puts consumers, retailers, produce growers, and regulatory authorities on alert about the safety of these products. Fresh produce safety comes with unique challenges because of how it is grown, harvested, and processed. On top of that, there is no kill step for raw produce. Investing in food safety and quality may mean incorporating an antimicrobial wash treatment for fruits and vegetables. Taking the time to wash produce properly also enhances shelf life and reduces shrinkage by destroying the bacteria that cause food to spoil. What are the antimicrobial properties of a produce wash? According to research , 600 million people worldwide suffer from foodborne illness every year. Of those cases, 7.5% were fatal. So, while some produce washes are labeled antimicrobial, not every product will be effective against the most dangerous offenders...