The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on ​Tuesday finalised guidance for companies that ‌prepare and package fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of ​foodborne illness.

The guidance lands amid ​ongoing outbreaks of salmonella and ⁠cyclosporiasis affecting lettuce and jalapenos ​that have sickened thousands of people ​in the U.S.

The guidance is aimed at manufacturers and processors of products such ​as chopped lettuce, sliced cantaloupe, ​diced onions, shredded carrots, coleslaw mixes and ‌fruit ⁠salads.

Produce can be contaminated by pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella during growing, harvesting, packing, ​or holding ​on ⁠farms, said the FDA's guidance.

These foods are considered ​higher risk because they are ​usually ⁠eaten raw and do not go through cooking or another "kill ⁠step" ​that would destroy harmful ​bacteria.