Food Safety in the Time of COVID-19: Produce is the Spice of Life

Published on by AMY HENDRICKSON

The last several posts have focused on clarifying safe produce handling recommendations for consumers and the start of the growing season.  When planning our grocery store or farm market trips, does organically grown produce present any food-safety advantages?

The International Food Information Council offers some helpful tips in response to recent media attention contrasting the health benefits of organic and conventional produce; those tips are shared below:

  1. There is no reason to avoid any type of produce, whether organic or not.  Both conventional and organic produce present a healthy and safe way to obtain daily nutrients.  Neither is more safe or healthy than the other.  This goes for any food product, from raisins to milk and beyond.  Whether you choose organic or traditionally produced fruits and vegetables, the important thing is to get plenty of servings of fruits and vegetables each day and to handle all food safely to prevent foodborne illness.  Tips on handling fresh produce to keep family and friends safe are here.
  2. U.S. regulatory authorities inspect and monitor both conventional and organic commodities to help ensure safety.  A USDA announcement from December 2019 disclosed results from examining pesticide residues for a variety of foods over the previous year (Jan-Dec 2019).  The USDA tested a variety of commodities including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry, grains, fish, rice, specialty products, and water.  The study concluded that over 99% of food had residue levels well below the safety tolerance levels.  This is good news for consumers!
  3. Major health authorities and many dietitians agree that people need to eat more fruits and vegetables.  On average, Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.  As much as 87% of us fail to eat enough vegetables and 76% are not eating enough fruits.  Expert groups such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourage people to eat more, not less, of a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Variety is the spice of life!  There is ample evidence that variety in the diet promotes health while also supporting food safety.  Variety can come in the form of the type of fruit or vegetable that we consume, and also the form, i.e. fresh, dried, canned, or frozen.  Many dried, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables offer a nutritious way to add spice to life.  More information on canned items here.  Stay well and food-safe.

Authored by: Barb Ingham