13/11/2023
Did you know that you can get food poisoning from your own produce?
As we’re coming into summer, there is an abundance of home-grown fruits and vegetables.
We’ve outlined some dos and don’ts to reduce the risk of food poisoning from the food you grow and eat.
✔️ Keep pets and chickens away from your veggie garden or where they can poo on the plants.
✔️ Minimise the use of garden chemicals likes pesticides and herbicides, and make sure you read the label for use.
✔️ Brush off any visible soil from fruits, vegetables, and herbs, wash under running water and dry thoroughly as soil is likely to contain bacteria.
✔️ Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables (except sprouts, rockmelons or pre-washed salads) if they are to be eaten raw.
✔️ Use commercially composted manure and soil adjustments.
✔️ Wash your hands with soap and running water and dry thoroughly after gardening (use a nailbrush to remove dirt from your fingernails).
✔️ Locate your veggie patch and herbs in a safe spot. such as in a raised bed with new soil, and away from the house, septic tanks or any other potential hazards.
❌ Don’t locate your vegetable garden near any rubbish piles or bins that could leak into the garden or attract vermin.
❌ Don’t put ‘grey’ water, such as washing machine water on to fruit, vegetables or herbs growing in the garden.
❌ Don’t pick wild greens, mushrooms, and weeds in your garden, as it is important to be able to identify the edible ones from the dangerous ones.
For more food safety tips, www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/foodsafety