Knowing how to clean fruit and vegetables is essential to get rid of microbes, pesticides, and soil. What is the best way to wash produce? Although vinegar and baking soda are effective methods, cleaning fruit and vegetables under running water is the best approach.
Research has shown that brushing and rubbing fresh produce under cold running wateris as effective as using a vinegar solution to reduce bacteria on fresh produce. Read on to learn about the best way to clean fruits and vegetables, as well as other safety tips.
Why Are There Bugs in Strawberries?
Water is an effective way to wash produce. Here's how to clean fruit and vegetables in water:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove germs.
- Place produce in a colander or hold it under running water.
- Scrub firm vegetables or fruit with a produce brush.
- Thoroughly rinse.
- Pat dry.
How To Clean Produce With Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural way to clean fruit and vegetables. You can soak or spray your fruit and vegetables with vinegar. The soak method is best for small produce, such as blueberries, Brussels sprouts, cherries, and cherry tomatoes.
Here's how to soak produce in vinegar:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove germs.
- Pour a small amount of vinegar into a bowl or container mixed with water, then add the produce.
- Allow the produce to soak for a couple of minutes.
- Strain the fruits and veggies, rinsing them entirely,
- Pat to dry.
In contrast, you may use the spray method for large produce, including apples, bell peppers, broccoli, and peaches. Add the vinegar and water to a spray bottle. Place the produce in a bowl or container and spray the solution thoroughly. Allow the vinegar to sit for a few minutes before rinsing the produce, and then pat to dry.
Research has shown that baking soda can effectively remove germs, pesticides, and soil from produce. Here's how to clean fruit and vegetables with baking soda:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to remove germs.
- Place the produce into a bowl or container. Add one teaspoon (tsp) of baking soda per two cups of cold water.
- Allow the produce to soak for at least 12 minutes. Move the produce around to ensure the baking soda reaches all sides.
- Use a produce brush to scrub firm vegetables.
- Drain and rinse the produce.
- Pat to dry.
Benefits of Cleaning Fruit and Vegetables
Washing fruit and vegetables rinses away microbes, pesticides, and soil. You'll sometimes see visible soil on leafy green vegetables, which can be unappetizing and add a gritty texture to your meal. In contrast, you cannot see microbes, including bacteria (e.g., E. coli and Salmonella) and viruses. It's essential to wash produce thoroughly to reduce your risk of foodborne illness.
Pesticide residue might lead to negative health effects, including:
- Changes to sex hormone production
- Decreased sperm quality
- Disrupted menstrual cycle
- Increased miscarriage risk
- Increased risk of birth defects
Washing and soaking reduce but do not eliminate pesticide residue levels. Peeling your produce, when appropriate, can reduce pesticide residues more effectively than washing alone.
It's important to note that the benefits of eating five servings of produce daily far outweigh the risks of pesticides. You can protect your health by consuming fruits and vegetables, in other words, even if washing does not completely remove pesticide residue.
Some evidence suggests organic produce contains lower levels of pesticide residue compared to conventionally grown produce. There is not much research, however, about if there are measurable health benefits to choosing organic produce. You must wash both organic and conventional fresh produce before eating it.
Other Safety Tips
Wash produce thoroughly under cold running water and then dry it thoroughly. Make sure you scrub firm produce like cucumbers with a clean produce brush.
Other tips for keeping your fruits and vegetables safe to eat include:
- Choose produce that's not bruised or damaged.
- Do not wash produce with detergent, commercial produce wash, or soap. Fruits and vegetables can absorb those products, making you sick.
- Keep fruits and vegetables away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood in your grocery cart and refrigerator.
- Never place salad or fresh produce on an unwashed plate or surface that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
- Store pre-cut and highly perishable fresh fruits and vegetables (e.g., berries, melon, and lettuce) in the refrigerator at 40 degrees or lower.
- Use separate knives and cutting boards for raw produce and raw meat while preparing food.
You can consume "pre-washed, ready-to-eat" items, such as bagged greens or baby carrots, without further washing. Talk to a grocer or grower if you are unsure whether an item should be washed or refrigerated to keep its quality.
Is Non-Organic Food Bad for You?
A diet rich in produce boosts your intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help manage your weight, improve cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk of illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
Just make sure that your produce is safe to eat to get the most benefits from including more on your plate. Aim for a variety of types and colors to expose your body to a broad spectrum of the health-protective compounds found in fruits and vegetables.
