Before that apple or carrot becomes your midday crunch, consider its journey to your kitchen counter. While fruits and vegetables are nutritional powerhouses, they can carry unexpected residues. According to the CDC, one in six Americans falls ill each year from contaminated food. With 95% of EWG’s 2024 Dirty Dozen items testing positive for pesticide residues, proper produce washing is crucial.
However, myths about effective cleaning methods persist. Join us as we debunk these myths and help you clean your fresh produce correctly.
Bleach and Soap Makes Produce Safer
Bleach and soap are harsh chemicals and should never be used on fresh produce as they are porus and can absorb the chemicals. This can cause severe health problems, including mouth, throat, and stomach irritation. Disinfecting produce with bleach is unnecessary and dangerous. Stick to washing produce with clean water for effective and safe cleaning.
Hot Water is Better for Cleaning
Cold or lukewarm water is sufficient for killing most germs on produce. Hot water can damage delicate fruits and vegetables, causing them to become soft or mushy. Additionally, the thermal shock caused can draw in contaminants, rather than killing them. Using cold or lukewarm water helps preserve the quality and freshness of your produce.
You Have to Soak All Your Produce
Soaking produce is unnecessary for most fruits and vegetables. A thorough rinse under running water is often sufficient for removing dirt and bacteria. Soaking produce for extended periods can lead to bacterial growth. Reserve soaking for extremely dirty produce, such as potatoes or root vegetables, but rinse them thoroughly afterward.
Produce Wash is Better Than Regular Tap Water
Tap water is generally safe and effectively removes bacteria from fruits and vegetables. Commercial produce washes often contain unnecessary chemicals that can be costly and harmful to the environment. Prioritize cost-effectiveness and environmental impact by choosing tap water over commercial produce washes.
Organic Produce Doesn’t Need Washing
All produce, including organic, can carry dirt, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. Organic farming practices do not guarantee that produce is free from these contaminants. Washing organic produce is just as important as washing conventionally grown produce to ensure food safety. Treat all produce with the same level of care when it comes to washing.
Peeling Eliminates the Need for Washing
During the peeling process, contaminants can transfer from the peel to the flesh of the fruit or vegetable. Knives and hands can also become contaminated during peeling. Washing produce before peeling helps prevent cross-contamination and ensures that the inside is clean. It’s always best to wash fruits and vegetables before preparing them, regardless of whether you plan to peel them.
Homegrown Produce Doesn’t Need Washing
Homegrown produce can be contaminated, just like store-bought produce. Garden chemicals and fertilizers can also leave residues on homegrown produce. Washing homegrown produce removes harmful substances and ensures food safety. Even if you plan to cook the produce, it is recommended that you clean it beforehand.
Canned Vegetables Don’t Need Rinsing
Canned vegetables are often preserved in high amounts of sodium. A quick rinse of canned vegetables helps reduce the amount of sodium intake. Additionally, canned vegetables may contain dirt or other particles from the canning process. Washing the canned vegetables before consuming them improves their overall quality and taste.
Washing Produce Right Away
To maximize freshness and safety, wash produce just before consumption or preparation. Washing produce too early and storing it in a moist environment can accelerate spoilage and promote microbial growth. It’s best to store unwashed produce in the refrigerator to prevent contamination.
Just Running Water is Enough
Fruits and vegetables should be cleaned in different ways. Running them under water may not remove all the debris and germs on them. Produce like potatoes or carrots need a gentle scrub to help remove dirt and debris from rough surfaces. Delicate fruits like berries and vegetables like mushrooms should be gently cleaned by rubbing fingers under water.
Cooking Eliminates the Need for Washing
Cooking does not kill all types of bacteria and contaminants present in produce. Pesticides, dirt, and other substances can remain on your produce even after cooking. Washing fresh food before cooking helps remove harmful bacteria, making it safer for consumption. Prioritize food safety by washing all produce before cooking.
Pre-Washed Produce Needs Rinsing Again
Pre-washed produce is mostly safe to consume as it is. Excessive washing can remove protective coatings from the produce and affect its quality. Trust reputable brands and follow their guidelines for pre-washed produce. Rinse pre-washed produce only if there are visible signs of contamination.
You Can Skip Washing Some Fruits and Vegetables
All types of fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before consumption. There is no guarantee that any produce is completely clean, even if it appears to be. Proper washing of fresh produce is a simple and effective way to prevent foodborne illness.