From the time that fresh produce leaves the farm and is transported to it’s destination it is susceptible to many harmful pathogens. The FDA has set Food Safety For Produce guidelines to help protect consumers from consuming these pathogens there are steps that need to be taken. Of course there is’nt 100% reliability that some of these pathogens may still slip by. Produce farmers and distributors can help reduce the risk of pathogens by washing and cleansing fresh produce. Some go even farther to coat some produce with edible wax to make produce look healthier and to keep it from decaying as quickly. In the end it is still up to the consumer to make sure that the produce they are purchasing from there local grocer is carefully washed after it’s purchased.