In this section:
Harvesting: Hygiene
Keeping fruit clean at harvest is important. Contamination of the fruit at this stage often leads to contamination in the dried product. Wash picking containers frequently to prevent the build-up of twigs, dried leaves and dirt, as these will become ingrained in the fresh fruit. Such material can also bruise or puncture the fresh fruit leading to a downgraded dried product.
Fruit, especially when overripe, bleeds into the picking containers. If picking and transport containers are not washed this sticky juice adheres to fruit, increasing the chance of dust contamination. It can also affect fruit handling and alignment on cutting machines, increasing the rate of off-suture cuts.
If the fruit is stored before cutting, unwashed buckets provide a source of inoculum that hastens the onset of storage rots. Good hygiene can greatly reduce losses to postharvest rots. Do not put fruit showing signs of rot or decay in with other good quality fruit. Fruit never improves in storage.
