News : Benton County Public Health Director offers warning on summer food dangers

Ah, summer.

The time for outdoor fun, cookouts, swimming in lakes, ponds and rivers, and farmers markets.

And, says Benton County Public Health Director Nancy Farmer, the time to beware of the hidden dangers of those activities.

While there have been no big outbreaks of summer health problems, Farmer said that individual cases of food-borne illnesses. Also, she said, in the past few years, there have been more cases of a water-bornre parasite cryptosporidium, affecting people in Iowa.

Food borne illness prevention

"We have had a little rash of an increase in food-borne illness, which is not unexpected in the summer," said Farmer.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued a warning in July to Farmer's Market participants throughout Iowa.

The IDPH investigated more than 10 illnesses that may be related to a freshly prepared fruit and vegetable product sold at a farmer’s market in east-central Iowa.

That prompted the agency to send out this information: While farmer’s markets are an excellent source of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods, it’s important to remember that any freshly prepared fruit and vegetable product that is not properly refrigerated can be a potential health risk because they can allow bacteria to grow.

Because of warm temperatures, Iowans should be especially aware of food safety at farmers markets: Be aware that any freshly prepared fruit or vegetable product, such as hummus, salsa, cut fruit salad, and guacamole can be a potential health risk if not handled correctly. All these products must be kept refrigerated, both before and after the sale.

When shopping at a farmer’s market, always remember: Only buy products from vendors who keep freshly prepared fruit and vegetable products cold, either in refrigerator units or on ice. Once purchased, keep freshly prepared fruit and vegetable products cold.

If you plan to spend a lot of time at the market, bring a cooler or ice pack for storage. When you arrive home, place these products immediately in the refrigerator and eat within days. Any freshly prepared fruit or vegetable product that is not properly refrigerated should not be eaten, and should be discarded.

For more information on food safety, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/food_safety.asp.

The problem, said Farmer, is that some foods sold at Farmer's Markets are prepared but not pasteurized , and must be kept refrigerated to prevent bacteria from forming.

"We need to be careful about keeping cold foods cold in summer," said Farmer. In around hours, bacteria can grow in food that is not refrigerated.

And sometimes by the time a product is placed on a table, bought and taken home from a Farmer's Market, it has been too warm for too long. Those items — particularly, said Farmer, salsa or cut fruit salad or guacamole —should be kept between 40 and 42 degrees fahrenheit to prevent salmonella or e coli bacteria from affecting the food.

"There have been a few outbreaks in Iowa — not in Benton County but neighboring counties — where a prepared food like that was the link," said Farmer. "People need to be sure to wash fruits and vegetables very well, and keep fruits cold. And once you prepare a dish, it goes for dish as well. Keep it refrigerated until served and put whatever is not consumed back into refrigerator."