Post-harvest
Follow these GAPs after harvesting produce to
avoid contaminating the crop:
• Cool produce quickly to remove field heat and
minimize potential pathogen growth.
• Prevent bruising and damaging produce. Discard
any bruised or damaged produce.
• Keep packed fruits and vegetables off the floor.
Place containers on clean pallets.
• Keep floors and equipment clean and dry. Avoid
pooling water in packing sheds and coolers.
• Use only potable water sources for washing or
cooling harvested produce and for cleaning
surfaces that will contact produce.
• Regularly change produce wash or dump tank
water to prevent organic debris from building up
in the water.
• Treat dump tank or recirculated water to
kill microorganisms and prevent crosscontamination.
• Regularly measure the sanitizer and pH levels
of postharvest water. Always maintain adequate
sanitizer concentration and desired pH. Record
measurements.
• Avoid immersing tomatoes, apples, and other
fruits in water that is more than 10
F cooler
than the produce. When the water is too cool,
the produce can absorb water along with any
pathogens that may be present.
• Ensure produce is dry before packing to limit the
potential for bacterial growth on the surface of
the produce.
• Install appropriate backflow prevention on hoses
and water supply lines