How can peanuts become contaminated during harvest?

Peanuts can become contaminated during the harvest primarily due to contact with soil, machinery, or improper handling. During the harvesting process, peanuts are typically uprooted from the ground, which exposes them to the soil that may contain pathogens, molds, or chemicals. Additionally, the machinery used in the harvest process can transport contaminants from one location to another, heavily influencing the peanut's safety and quality. Furthermore, improper handling during the picking, transportation, or processing stages can introduce further contaminants, such as bacteria or foreign materials, which may compromise the integrity of the peanuts.

While excessive moisture from rain can affect overall peanut quality, it is not a direct route for contamination during the harvest. Similarly, while exposure to pesticides can pose risks at various stages, this risk is typically associated with the application process rather than the harvest itself. Inadequate cleaning of storage facilities is also relevant but comes into play after the harvest, impacting the peanuts during the post-harvest storage phase rather than during the actual harvesting process. Understanding these points helps to realize the critical aspects of contamination risks during peanut harvest.