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Storage and Preservation Tips

The Hidden Risk Of Sampling Berries At The Grocery Store By Haley McNamara Nov. 16, 2025 1:00 pm EST

It may seem harmless to sample a berry or two from a clamshell at the grocery store — after all, you just want to make sure they're sweet, right? Yes, and no. Under a microscope, an unwashed berry can reveal a surprising (and unpleasant) mix of what's lurking throughout. While pesticides on the berries are important to consider, a greater concern before sampling is the type of germs and microbugs the berries have collected on and within their porous skin throughout their journey from the field to the grocery store (or farmers' market). These germs could be harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites, which the microbugs could also be carriers of.

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