Consumer Alert: Farmers market and vacation safety

The summer is the perfect time to purchase fresh produce as well as go away on vacation. However, experts say that both activities have some hidden risks. When shopping for fresh produce at a farmer's

News 12 Staff

Jul 30, 2016, 4:09 AM

Updated 2,834 days ago

Share:

Consumer Alert: Farmers market and vacation safety
The summer is the perfect time to purchase fresh produce as well as go away on vacation. However, experts say that both activities have some hidden risks.
When shopping for fresh produce at a farmer's market, it is important to make sure that the items purchased are safe.
The Alliance for Food and Farming recommends that consumers ask vendors to clarify exactly what they mean when they say items are "certified organic" or "pesticide free."
Consumers should also make sure items like eggs and milk are properly chilled. Customers should also ask if milk and cheese is pasteurized to kill bacteria. Some people say that they like raw or unpasteurized milk, but experts say that it can pose health risks for kids, seniors and pregnant women.
It is also important to make sure meat is stored in a separate bag from produce to prevent contamination.
When traveling, the Federal Trade Commission warns vacationers to beware of scams designed to steal their identities.
The commission says that guests should be aware of a scam where someone calls their room pretending to be from the hotel and asking for a credit card. Most hotels will ask the guest to come to the front desk if there is any type of issue with billing.
Experts say that Wi-Fi in hotels can also pose a risk. Guests should make sure the network they log-on to is actually the hotel's authorized network and not a fake one set up by scammers.
If the hotel does not offer a secured network, experts advise guests to use a virtual private network or VPN service to protect their data.
Experts also advise guests to limit the amount of sensitive information they take with them on vacation. Only necessary identifications and credit cards should be taken. The rest should be left at home. Exerts also say to never travel with a social security card.


More from News 12
0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

2:08
Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

Cloudy skies overnight; rainy weekend ahead for New Jersey

1:33
Youth curfew goes into effect for city of Newark tonight at 11 p.m.

Youth curfew goes into effect for city of Newark tonight at 11 p.m.

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:41
Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

Aftermath of deadly house explosion in South River shows home blown into pieces

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:12
Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

Several house fires break out Thursday in New Jersey; 1 man dead

0:18
South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

South Brunswick police searching for missing man last seen on Route 1

0:23
South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

South Orange woman indicted for stealing over $1 million federal benefits intended for dead aunt

2:10
Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

Paws & Pals: Lilypad now up for adoption with AHS Newark

0:38
Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semis, topping 76ers 118-115 in Game 6

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully