Produce safety a growing concern: With veggie scares, it's time to be a smart shopper

17.oct.06
National Post
Rosie Schwartz 

Consumers may, according to this story, feel as though they're playing Russian roulette as they decide on fruits and vegetable choices for their dinner plate.
And many are wondering what's next on the hit list of those to avoid. First it was E. coli and spinach, then potentially E. coli-tainted romaine lettuce and finally recalled carrot juice because of its link to botulism. Fruits and vegetables are supposed to be linked to good health -- not to a visit to the hospital emergency room.
Schwartz says that being a smart shopper, rather than a frightened one, is a much wiser approach to good health.
The first step is to be informed. Paying attention to the news reports of various recalls may have helped some consumers to avoid purchasing tainted products.
Another obvious one is to heed package instructions on food products and make sure that your local grocery store does too. Case in point -- the recent carrot juice contaminations. After inspections of the processing facilities of Bolthouse Farms, the manufacturer of the carrot juice, the problem was believed to be "consumer temperature abuse" rather than processing techniques.
But was the problem on the consumer end or were retailers not storing the juice properly? The verdict is not clear.
Schwartz says that in her neighbourhood supermarket, over the past while, there have been unrefrigerated produce counters filled with items like romaine hearts, pre-washed spring mixes and baby, peeled carrots in packages which all clearly state "Keep refrigerated." On one occasion last week, some packages of romaine contained mouldy sections and others brown sections. Schwartz spoke to the produce manager. His reaction? "We keep it refrigerated in the back and then we put it out for the day. At the end of the day, we put it back in the fridge if there's any left."
My understanding of "keep refrigerated" means that the product is kept under controlled temperatures from processing or packaging, through shipping, storage and display and may be kept out while the shopper transports the food home. Schwartz checked with Green Giant, the company that supplied these baby carrots, who said that leaving the packages out for the day was not in compliance. As well, I was informed that the "best before" date is based upon proper handling.
While baby carrots are likely not a risk for food-borne illnesses, the quality and shelf life of the product may not live up to the date stamped on the package. But packages of fresh cut salad mixes that may contain carrots are another story. These lettuce mixes can be the source of the potentially harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and should always be kept refrigerated.
After calling the head office and a number of health officials, Schwartz spoke with the manager of the store who has since informed Schwartz that their practices are going to be changed.
If you come across situations like these at your supermarket, speak up. For example, if you find that the containers of milk are regularly piled too high leading to some not really being refrigerated or there are constantly stray unrefrigerated packages that shoppers have not put back properly, tell an employee.
Speak to the store manager or if it's a chain, call the head office if you see flagrant violations of what's supposed to be done. Call your local public health department or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if you suspect that what you see could cause foodborne illness.
On the subject of produce -- don't underestimate the importance of washing -- all of it, including those fruit and vegetables where you don't eat the peel or rind.
As you peel produce with your fingers or a knife or cut through the rind, your hands or knife will come into contact with the flesh as well. And if there are any microbes on the peel or rind, then they may also come into contact with the edible part of the fruit or vegetable. As you ponder the picture, just think of the possible germs on the hands of all the touchy, feely shoppers you have seen who seem to fondle every item on the fruit or vegetable display before they make a purchase decision.
Washing your hands when you return from the supermarket and before and after handling produce is also a smart habit that can decrease your risk of food-borne illness.