scope:

This handbook establishes guidelines for fresh fruit and vegetable farms and packing sheds in oversea areas furnishing locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables to the US Armed Forces.

This handbook is applicable to all types of fresh fruit and vegetable farms and packing sheds in oversea areas that furnish locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables destined for Armed Forces procurement, and for which detailed guidelines relating to specific types of farms and packing sheds are not available, or applicable. This handbook is intended as a guide to medical food inspection personnel (IAW AR 40-657/NAVSUPINST 4355.4C/AFR 163-2/MCOP 10110.31D) who are responsible for establishing and maintaining a food inspection program in support of US Armed Forces procurement of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in oversea areas.

This handbook is intended to insure clean, wholesome food products that are free from microbiological, chemical, and physical contaminants and to prevent the transmission of foodborne disease to members of the Armed Forces. This handbook provides information concerning the disease-transmission potential of fresh fruits and vegetables and some of those diseases most commonly transmitted through soil and water to man.

The most practical surveillance program for the control of parasitic ova on fresh fruits and vegetables is the examination of fresh salad-type vegetables as described in Appendix E. However, in those instances where commanders feel that a more comprehensive program may be justified, due to increased incidence of disease, a complete inspection program may be initiated.