FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
How are fresh fruits and vegetables
contaminated?
Fresh fruits and vegetables can be
contaminated with bacteria from soil, water, and other environmental
factors as well as during cultivation, harvesting, handling, and
storage. The produce may also be contaminated with pesticides and other
chemicals used during cultivation.
Are fresh fruits and vegetables bought
from supermarket contaminated?
Pre-washed, packaged and clean looking
fresh fruits and vegetables sold in supermarkets carry millions of
bacteria on the surface. During washing and cleaning process bacterial
population on fruits and vegetables is reduced but not eliminated.
During processing, improper handling and storage without refrigeration,
the residual bacteria rapidly increase in numbers.
What happens if contaminated fruits and
vegetables are consumed?
Consumption of fruits and vegetables
contaminated by an infectious agent can result in illness. After
consumption of contaminated strawberries, cantaloupes, leaf lettuce,
alfalfa sprout, apples, and raspberries, many people have been reported
seriously ill in the past.
Are organically grown fruits and
vegetables contaminated?
Organically grown fruits and vegetables
may be free of pesticides. Since bacteria are found almost everywhere,
organic fruits and vegetables are not free of bacterial contamination.
Bacterial load on fruits and vegetables would be higher if animal manure
is used during cultivation.
What are the chemicals used to
decontaminate fruits and
vegetables?
Besides PRO-SAN , hypochlorite,
chlorine dioxide, per-acetic acid, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide are used
to kill bacteria on fruits and vegetables. However all these chemicals
except PRO-SAN are oxidizing agents. These agents indiscriminately
oxidize organic material and can potentially destroy precious vitamins,
antioxidants and fine nutrients present in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Besides the oxidizing agents can produce unknown and sometimes
carcinogenic products when reacting with organic matter of fruits and
vegetables
How can we increase safety of fresh
fruits and vegetables?
Refrigeration of fresh fruits and
vegetables has been reported to lower bacterial population. In addition,
it is best to wash fresh fruits and vegetables prior to consumption.
Will washing with water make fruits and
vegetables safe?
Washing with water can reduce both
loosely attached bacteria and chemical residues. However, some chemicals
are insoluble in water and some soil and bacteria may be tightly
attached on produce surface. Washing agents with
surface active agents and and sequestrates can be more efficient
than just washing with tap water in removing soil and other surface
contaminants.
Can we use bleaching solution (hypochlorite)
for washing fruits and vegetables?
Although bleaching solution can kill
bacteria, it lacks cleaning action of a surface active agent to wash off
tightly bound contaminants. Bleaching solution has been reported to
produce organochlorine carcinogenic residues on treated food products.
Can we use laundry detergents for
washing fruits and vegetables?
Laundry detergents have ingredients
that may not be safe for use on food products. If consumed these
ingredients may be harmful to health.
What is a safe cleaning agent for
fruits and vegetables?
A cleaning product with safe
and nontoxic ingredients approved by a government regulatory agency
for washing fruits and vegetables can offer a greater margin of safety.
PRO-SAN is approved safe product both for cleaning as well as
decontaminating fruits and vegetables.
