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Cantaloupe Scare
Wednesday
May 30, 2001
There's
nothing better than cool cantaloupe on a hot day,
but this sweet fruit could have a deadly after
taste. A recent report states that salmonella
poisoning from bad cantaloupe has killed two people
in California. Now the scare is spreading coast
to coast. More than four dozen cases have been
reported in 14 states.
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The
outbreak is caused by germs on the skin of Viva brand
cantaloupes imported from Mexico. Food expert Amy Hendel
says poorly handled crops can be covered in fecal material
from animals and humans.
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FDA
tips to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
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Purchase
produce that is not bruised or damaged. If buying
fresh cut produce, be sure it is refrigerated
or surrounded by ice.
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"You
have no idea what kind of hygiene these handles have.
When they sneeze or cough, or go to the bathroom," Hendel
says.
At the Farmers Market in Los Angeles, grocers are so concerned
they're no longer buying south of the border.
But the scare doesn't stop with cantaloupes. All fruits
and vegetables should be washed thoroughly because you
can't be sure how they've been handled. One cantaloupe
can look pretty much like the next. So how do you know
you're eating the cleanest cantaloupe? There are a few
things you need to do.
-Only buy fresh produce that is not bruised or damaged.
-Keep it refrigerated.
-Always wash all fruits and veggies, including their rinds
and skins, thoroughly with soap and water before cutting.
If you don't, you could be cooking up a recipe for disaster.
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