Food safety often is cited as the primary reason why people grow their own edibles, but that’s frequently an illusion. Food-borne illnesses are almost as likely to be caused by homegrown produce as by fresh foods acquired elsewhere.
“The odds are better there won’t be any contamination from the things we grow ourselves, but no fresh foods are safe,” said Jeanne Brandt, a family and community health specialist with Oregon State University Extension. “Gardening and cooking are a food safety continuum. Safety must be considered with every step in the process, from pre-planting to placing meals on the table.”
Surveys have shown that home gardeners don’t understand that soil, compost, human and animal manure, and water are potential sources of disease-causing bacteria that can contaminate produce. Instead, “they were most concerned about chemical contamination,” Brandt said.
Food safety starts with the right vegetable-garden location.
“You want to know what’s been on that (planting) space,” Brandt said. “Did the previous owner have a lawn there that could have been exposed to lots of chemicals? Was there any runoff from roads or driveways? Was it a place where people walked their dogs? Those questions also apply to community gardens.”
Many novice gardeners haven’t embraced routines aimed at keeping their garden spaces orderly and their hands and tools cleaned, Brandt said.
Almost half of all food illness outbreaks in the United States are caused by fresh produce. That largely means greens, lettuces and row-crop vegetables eaten raw. Children, the elderly and pregnant women are most at risk.
But some simple practices can be used to reduce the risks of produce contamination, and prevent food-borne illnesses in the garden as well as the kitchen. Consider:
-- Soil amendments. “Composted or aged manure or other soil amendments containing any animal components such as manure, meat, egg shells or bones are not recommended for gardens as they may not be thoroughly processed and thus contain food-borne pathogens,” said Sanja Ilic, an assistant professor and food-safety specialist with Ohio State University Extension. Compost prepared from grass clippings or plant trimmings are good alternatives.
-- Irrigating. City water is safest because it’s usually treated. “Drip irrigation is the safest way to apply the irrigation water because there is no direct contact with the edible portion of the produce,” Ilic said.
-- Restricting wildlife, poultry and pets, whose feces carry food-borne pathogens.
-- Preventing cross-contamination from dirty tools and table surfaces when harvesting. “Always wash your hands before entering the garden or harvesting; after handling compost, plant debris or garbage; after touching a pet or farm animal; and after using the toilet,” Ilic said.
-- Storage. “Washed produce should be dried before storage,” Ilic said. “Berries, broccoli and similar should be washed only prior to serving, to avoid mold development.
“Cooking is a highly effective step in destroying bacteria that might be there,” Brandt said.
Public health officials say there isn’t much you can do to treat food-borne disorders, but it’s important to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Stay hydrated until the ailment passes. Some over-the-counter meds may help stop diarrhea.
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Online:
For more about reducing the risk of contaminating the food grown in your garden, see this University of California Master Gardener tip sheet: http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8366.pdf
You can contact Dean Fosdick at [emailprotected]
FAQs
Garden vegetables are free of human pathogens unless they become contaminated. Our task as gardeners is pretty simple -- don't mess up a good thing. Preventing contamination is the key to food safety. The three main ways garden vegetables can be contaminated are animals, animal manure and people.
Is it safer to grow your own food? ›
Gardening delivers produce that is tastier, cheaper and safer than store-bought, right? Well, not necessarily safer. "There's always the potential from contamination, whether you grow your own food or buy it at the market," said Marisa Bunning, an extension food safety specialist at Colorado State University.
Are homegrown vegetables safe to eat? ›
Food safety often is cited as the primary reason why people grow their own edibles, but that's frequently an illusion. Food-borne illnesses are almost as likely to be caused by homegrown produce as by fresh foods acquired elsewhere.
Is homegrown food healthier? ›
The main health benefit of locally grown food is that it's fresher. Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutrients within 24 hours of being picked, so fresher produce is more nutritious. In addition, locally grown food is picked at its peak ripeness, when it's most dense with nutrients.
Are homegrown vegetables better than store-bought? ›
When your only shipping delay is the time it takes to get from the garden to your table, fruits and veggies are at their best. Deterioration starts as soon as crops are harvested, so homegrown and locally grown produce that gets to your table fast offer more nutrients than produce that travels over time and distance.
What are the disadvantages of growing your own food? ›
Disadvantages of Gardening
It takes a lot of time and energy, you can easily fail if you don't know what you're doing, wasting time and money, and most of all you may just find that gardening becomes another chore to add to your to-do list.
Is gardening worth it financially? ›
When done correctly, even the smallest backyard plot can produce copious amounts of fruits and vegetables and possibly even a significant saving to the grocery budget. However, it takes time and patience, and a small outlay of money to buy seeds, and tools, if you need them.
Do plants absorb arsenic from the soil? ›
Arsenic is readily taken up by leafy green crops, whereas Pb generally has a low tendency for uptake into above-ground tissues because of its very low solubility in soils that are not strongly acidic [10, 17].
Do vegetables absorb arsenic from the soil? ›
Most edible plants absorb some small amounts of arsenic, but usually do not contain enough arsenic to be of health concern. The amount of arsenic absorbed by plants can depend on many factors. Some of the most important factors are soil acidity, nutrient content, iron, organic matter, and plant type.
Is it safe to eat home grown tomatoes? ›
While fresh field tomatoes do not naturally contain bacteria that can make you sick, they can become contaminated because they are grown close to the ground. Eating tomatoes that have been contaminated with harmful bacteria can make you sick.
It's been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. It's very gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share your own food. Routines provide structure to our day and are linked to improved mental health. Gardening routines, like watering and weeding, can create a soothing rhythm to ease stress.
What are the advantages of homegrown food? ›
Growing Your Own Food vs. Buying It From the Store
- It Saves Money.
- It's Convenient.
- It's Healthier.
- You'll Know Exactly How It Was Cultivated.
- It's Better for the Environment.
- You'll Be More Self-Sufficient.
- It's an Opportunity to Try New Foods.
- It Supports Local Pollinators.
The nutritional values of some popular vegetables, from asparagus to spinach, have dropped significantly since 1950. A 2004 US study found important nutrients in some garden crops are up to 38% lower than there were at the middle of the 20th Century.
Is gardening cheaper than buying groceries? ›
While starting vegetables from seed may save the most money, buying plants may also save some money depending on the amount yielded. “Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries.
Are farmers market vegetables healthier? ›
“When it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, the shorter the time and distance from farm to sale, the higher the levels of vitamins and minerals.”
Why do home grown vegetables taste better? ›
Locally Grown Food Is Fresher
Often, when the fruit is beyond its peak level of ripeness, nutrients begin to break down and the food begins to spoil. Although it may only be in tiny increments, the spoilage impacts the flavor of the food.
Is it better to grow your own food or buy it? ›
Fresh Food
Plus, homegrown produce does not endure rough shipping conditions to get to the shelf. This process affects flavor, texture, and amount of beneficial nutrients found in the fruit or vegetable. So, not only does fresh produce make your food taste better, it is also more beneficial for the body.
Is it cheaper to grow your own food or buy it? ›
While starting vegetables from seed may save the most money, buying plants may also save some money depending on the amount yielded. “Growing a garden has the potential to reduce the amount of money spent on groceries.
How much money can be saved by growing your own food? ›
According to Garden Pals, growing at least some food can save approximately $600 annually. The average garden starts with just $70, giving the average person $530 in net savings.
Is it legal to grow your own food in America? ›
Is it against the law in the United States for people to grow their own food or raise animals for consumption in their own backyards? You certainly can grow food in your backyard anywhere in the U.S., however there may be restrictions on keeping farm animals; even chickens.
