Advice to Consumers

Consumers and retailers should always follow safe produce handling recommendations.

• Wash
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after handling or preparing produce.
  • Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with soap and hot water between the preparation of raw meat, poultry and seafood products and the preparation of produce that will not be cooked.
• Prepare
  • Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
    • Produce that is labeled “prewashed” does not need to be washed again at home.
  • Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
  • Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on produce before preparing and eating.
• Store
  • Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked produce as soon as possible, or within 2 hours.
  • Store produce away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

For more produce safety advice, visit FDA’s Produce Safety webpage.