Which practice reduces contamination risk during handling?

• A. Rapid transport in dark containers
• B. Use of only cold storage
• C. Ignore sanitation between batches
• D. Avoid bruising and contamination during handling

Answer: (D)

The key idea is protecting the product from damage and from transferring any contaminants during handling. Bruising or physical damage creates opportunities for pathogens to enter plant tissues and can spread microbes from one item to another via damaged surfaces or fluids. When handling is gentle and surfaces, tools, and hands are kept clean, the chances of introducing contamination drop significantly. That’s why avoiding bruising and contamination during handling is the best choice for reducing contamination risk.

Other options don’t directly tackle this risk. Transporting quickly in dark containers doesn’t inherently prevent contamination and could conceal problems; relying only on cold storage addresses temperature control after harvest rather than the cleanliness of handling; and ignoring sanitation between batches clearly increases contamination risk rather than reduces it.