Cantaloupes are especially prone to contamination because of their unique rind. Its net-like pattern traps bacteria and makes the fruit harder to wash effectively. To prevent contracting any food-borne illness from melons, choose fruit that is firm, not bruised or damaged.
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What causes Salmonella in cantaloupe?
Still, you should take food safety precautions when preparing any produce—especially cantaloupe, because its rough rind can trap salmonella and some other types of harmful bacteria, according to the FDA.
Can u get Salmonella from cantaloupe?
Unlike other fruits, cantaloupe are not acidic and readily support the growth of pathogens once they are sliced open. Outbreaks of illness linked to melons contaminated with Salmonella are an unfortunate occurrence each year.
What makes cantaloupe even more susceptible to bacteria?
Cantaloupe is at greater risk of contamination because of its unique netted rind. The spaces between the netting can trap bacteria and make them harder to remove.
Is cantaloupe a potentially hazardous food?
The 1997 FDA Model Food Code (for food service establish- ments) recognizes cut melon as a potentially hazardous food, that is one capable of supporting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. As such, recommendations include obtaining cut melons from regulated food sources and ensuring receipt at 45°F (7°C) or below.
Can Salmonella be washed off fruit?
Sometimes, raw fruits and vegetables contain harmful germs that can make you and your family sick, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. The safest produce to eat is cooked; the next safest is washed. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water—even if you do not plan to eat the peel.
How does Salmonella get in fruit?
Salmonella can pass from human or animal feces to soil, fruits, vegetables, water, or other surfaces.
Should you wash cantaloupe?
It’s also why the CDC recommends that you rinse your fruits and vegetables before eating them. Yes, this includes melons like cantaloupes, honeydews, and watermelons. As the CDC confirms, even when you’re not consuming the peel or rind, fruit can still be contaminated if not rinsed properly.
What bacteria grows on cantaloupe?
Cut melon processing
Epidemiological and laboratory evidence in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections associated with cut cantaloupe suggested that contamination may occur not only by cutting through contaminated rinds but also by cutting with contaminated utensils [16].
Can you remove all listeria by washing a cantaloupe?
Colorado health officials warned people especially vulnerable to listeriosis, a bacterial infection marked by fever and muscle aches, to avoid the suspected melons: Although washing and drying produce is a good practice, it does not reduce the chance of listeriosis for those who are at high risk.
Should melons be washed before cutting?
Before cutting, wash the outer surface of the melon thoroughly with cool tap water to remove surface dirt; scrub with a clean produce brush. Wash all food-contact equipment and utensils that contact cut melons (cutting boards, knives, etc.)
How do you disinfect a cantaloupe?
Use a brush to scrub the outer surface of the cantaloupe under running water for 1 minute. This step is recommended by the FDA to achieve greater reduction of bacteria. Surface cleaning is followed by sanitizing, which involves soaking the whole cantaloupe in the hot water bath at 180°F for 5 minutes.
Is it OK to eat cantaloupe everyday?
Most adults need to eat anywhere from one to two cups of fruit per day and cantaloupe is a stellar choice: not only is it chock full of water, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, says Amy Shapiro, RD, CDN, and founder of Real Nutrition, you don’t even need to be wary of the sugar found in fresh fruit.
Is cantaloupe a Dirty Dozen?
Vegetables on this list include sweet corn, onions, frozen peas, eggplant, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and mushrooms. The guide’s cleanest fruits include pineapple, papaya, kiwi, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and avocado (yes, it’s a fruit).
How does cantaloupe get Listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in water and soil. Officials speculate that the cantaloupes were contaminated by irrigation water or a heavy rainstorm. The cantaloupe’s textured skin can trap and hold bacteria it picks up during growing, harvesting, packing, storage, transport, and distribution.
Can cantaloupe have E coli?
While bacteria normally cannot grow on fruits or vegetables after they are picked due to a lack of moisture and nutrients, E. coli has been shown to multiply on the surface of cantaloupe and watermelon, according to an FDA article on fresh produce safety.
What kills Salmonella naturally?
Heat your meat
Poultry naturally contains Salmonella, which you can kill by cooking the meat to an internal temperature of 165°F or higher. Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 °F – and don’t rely on guesswork. Measure the temperature with a food thermometer to be sure.
What kills Salmonella on produce?
Cook: Cook your food to a temperature ranging between 145 and 165 degrees F to kill bacteria, including Salmonella. The CDC advises against cooking or storing food in the danger zone between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F, which will cause bacteria to multiply.
At what temperature is Salmonella killed?
Salmonella are destroyed at cooking temperatures above 150 degrees F. The major causes of salmonellosis are contamination of cooked foods and insufficient cooking. Contamination of cooked foods occurs from contact with surfaces or utensils that were not properly washed after use with raw products.
How does Salmonella get on fresh vegetables?
Although most salmonella outbreaks are linked to contamination during handling and transportation of the vegetables, there are also cases where the infectious bacterium entered the plant when it was still in the farmland.
How do veggies get contaminated with Salmonella?
Salmonella is carried by both domesticated and wild animals and can contaminate freshwater by direct or indirect contact. In some cases, direct contact of produce or seeds with contaminated manure or animal wastes can lead to contaminated crops.