Avoid Common Produce Mistakes for Fresher, Safer Shopping

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Youdle) – Fresh produce can make or break meals, but shoppers often pick items or handle them in ways that shorten shelf life or raise safety risks. Here are simple, practical tips to keep fruits and vegetables fresher and safer without extra fuss.

Pick items with firm texture and intact skin; avoid bruises or soft spots, which invite spoilage. Don’t assume pre-washed or ready-to-eat labeling removes all contamination — inspect packaging and use by dates. Skip produce that sits in pooled water at the display; moisture can spread bacteria. At checkout, separate fresh produce from raw meats and seafood to reduce cross-contamination.

Quick habits to start today:

• Leave roots and stems on when possible to prolong freshness.

• Don’t wash produce before storing unless you’ll eat it immediately; excess moisture speeds decay.

• Store ethylene-producing fruits like apples apart from sensitive greens.

• Use breathable bags or containers for mushrooms and leafy greens.

• Refrigerate berries and leafy vegetables promptly and use within a few days.

Small habits help: carry reusable produce bags, use a small cooler on hot trips, lift berry cartons to check for mold, and choose frozen produce when fresh looks questionable.

Search the Youdle grocery product finder for fresh produce. Share how you keep your foor fresh with other shoppers in the Youdle Community! Also, be sure to check out past articles in our Youdle blog.

Find the original article here.