You try to eat healthy, carting home bags of fresh fruits and vegetables from your local market. On The Dr. Oz Show on Friday, Assistant Commissioner Peter DeLucia from the Westchester County Department of Health will show you how to leave bacteria behind when you go produce shopping.
The segment is set to air Friday, February 24 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Fox 5. This is the fourth time the County Health Department has been invited to appear on the program.
“This was a great opportunity to bring a public health message into millions of homes in a fun and friendly way with Dr. Oz,” DeLucia said.
Did you ever wonder how many hands touched those ripe red apples from the time they were picked until you took your first bite? Dr. Oz and DeLucia estimate it could be well over a dozen. That’s why it’s important to wash fruits and vegetables in cold water, and to lightly scrub with a vegetable brush any tomatoes, cantaloupe, zucchini, tomatoes and other produce that can take it.
The Dr. Oz show sampled the water sprayed on vegetables in an area grocery store. The result wasn’t pretty. The recirculated water grew pseudomonas aeroginosa, a common bacteria. While it won’t hurt most people, it can cause gastrointestinal illness in those whose resistance is lower, such as people undergoing cancer treatments. That’s another good reason why it’s important to wash fresh produce before eating. So, no more sampling as you shop.
Right at the checkout counter, Dr. Oz found another place where unwanted bacteria can hitch a ride home with you: the conveyor belt. To avoid exposure to more illness-causing bacteria, before you place them on the conveyor belt, always bag your fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh bread.
DeLucia and Dr. Oz also smelled something fishy at the fish counter. In some fish markets, cheaper look-alike fish is passed off for its pricier cousins. If you’re paying for red snapper, you shouldn’t get rock fish. For those with food allergies, it’s especially important to know what you’re eating. The solution: Buy your fish from a reputable fish vendor, one that’s clean, where the fish is kept on ice and the odor doesn’t overwhelm.
For more information on food safety, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.westchestergov.com/health” www.westchestergov.com/health.
PREVIOUS APPEARANCE: How can I tell if my kitchen is sanitary?
