Alberta Health Services are reminding all Albertans garden produce exposed to floodwater may not be safe for consumption.
Floodwater and flood-impacted waterways may contain untreated sewage, fuel, or other industrial contaminants, which in turn may have exposed food grown in impacted areas to dangerous pathogens or chemicals. Many fresh vegetables and fruits are susceptible to bacterial or chemical contamination. Untreated water from waterways impacted by flood-related contamination should not be used as a source of irrigation for home gardens.
Different types of fruits and vegetables have different associated risks. Take the following actions to reduce your risk:
• Any ready-to-harvest leafy vegetables (e.g. lettuce, cabbage, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, celery, etc.)
• Mature fleshy vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, beans, peppers.)
• Soft fruits such as strawberries or those on bushes (e.g. raspberries, blackberries) that may have been contaminated with floodwaters.
Thoroughly wash with safe water and cook (wait 4-6 weeks after flood before harvesting):
• Fleshy vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, beans, peppers, etc.) that were at least two weeks immature at the time of flooding.
Thoroughly wash, peel, and cook (wait 4-6 weeks after flood before harvesting):
• Root vegetables with a peel (e.g. beet, carrots, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, etc.).
Flood-damaged garden produce that is unfit for eating should not be canned or preserved. Fruits and vegetables that would be safe to consume (see above) can be pickled or made into jams or preserves. Because the low temperature of home dehydrators does not destroy high numbers of bacteria, do not attempt to dehydrate any produce from flooded gardens.
If you are unsure about the safety of produce, remember: when in doubt, throw it out.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority.