Reward outweighs risk when it comes to summer's fresh produce
Posted: July 31, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- With what seems to be an ongoing wave of news reports linking foodborne illness to fresh produce, many consumers are questioning whether it is worth the risk.
Take extra care washing the rough covering of fruits such as cantaloupe to avoid foodborne illness.
But Martin Bucknavage, extension food-safety specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, emphasizes that the benefits far outweigh the risks when it comes to consuming fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to Bucknavage, consumers should appreciate that they can take advantage of the wide selection of fresh produce available during the summer, instead of worrying about the remote possibility of foodborne illness.
