While some swear by fancy vegetable washes and others just give a quick rinse, keeping our fruits and vegetables safe to eat doesn’t have to be complicated.
With food safety concerns on the rise, it’s worth knowing how to clean produce properly. Those beautiful leafy greens and colorful fruits can pick up unwanted hitchhikers on their journey from farm to table, even if they’re organic.
The good news? You don’t need expensive solutions or complex routines! However, there are myths people continue to believe that are either unsafe or a waste of time and money. Let’s debunk those myths today, because enjoying your fruits and vegetables should be a pleasure, not a worry!
Myth: You Don’t Need to Wash Organic Produce
Organic doesn’t mean contaminant-free. While organic farms use natural pesticides and fertilizers, these substances — along with soil, bacteria, and other organic matter — must be cleaned from produce before eating. Just like conventionally grown produce, organic fruits and vegetables require thorough washing to be safe for consumption.
The produce is also exposed to shelving, storage, and transportation elements. After all that, your fruits and vegetables deserve a good cleaning!
Myth: Produce Wash Is Safer Than Tap Water
Most assume that rinsing fruits and vegetables with tap water doesn’t get them clean, so they rely on bottled and spray cleaners. Although these products contain a lot of alcohol and acids to help clean your produce, tap water is still king.
While it may be comforting to think that different types of produce washes guarantee the cleanliness of your fruits and vegetables, running water is just as effective. It gets rid of dirt and bacteria, sending them down the drain.
Myth: You Don’t Need to Wash It if You’ll Peel It
Most people believe that peeling fruits rid them of any dirt and germs. Once you remove the peel, there’s nothing to worry about, right? But food experts say otherwise.
Scientific research shows that bacteria transfers from the peel of the fruit to your knife, and then to the inner part of your fruit or vegetable. A thorough rinsing with water, which takes just a few seconds, will save you this headache.
Myth: Soap Makes Fruits and Vegetables Extra Clean
It may seem a bit strange, but some believe soap will leave their produce sparkling clean. This is definitely a risky practice and one you shouldn’t do.
Soapy residue penetrates your fruits and vegetables and causes gastrointestinal issues when ingested. Stick to plain water: it rids your produce of germs and leaves it safe for consumption.
Myth: It’s Better to Wash Your Fruits and Vegetables in Hot Water
Many people believe that dirt disintegrates quickly in hot water. Maybe in some situations it does, but it’s a little different when cleaning fruits and vegetables.
Researchers state that hot water sends your produce into thermal shock, which actually causes the absorption of water and bacteria. Ultimately, it does more harm than good.
Myth: Soak Your Produce First Before Cleaning
Soaking will not make your fruits any more clean than washing them immediately. Think of it this way — the germs and bacteria on your produce will remain in the water. Soaking could also leach out essential nutrients in some produce.
It’s best to wash your produce in running water, dry them out, and store them in airtight containers. Don’t let them linger in the water.
Myth: Wash Fruits and Vegetables Right When You Get Home
Bacteria can also grow when your fruits and vegetables are in the refrigerator. It’s important to wash produce before storage, but equally important to wash right before consumption. At least, the Centre For Disease Control and Prevention asks you to do so.
Washing before storage, cutting, and cooking will ensure you kick bacteria to the curb.
Myth: Longer Cleaning Time Makes Your Fruits and Vegetables Cleaner
You could wash your produce for 20 minutes straight, but without the right hygiene practices, you’ll only create a breeding ground for bacteria.
As a general rule of thumb, the FDA recommends using a dedicated vegetable brush for firm produce like lemons, carrots, and potatoes. Wash delicate produce like mushrooms and berries with your hands and submerge leafy greens in a bowl of cool water for just a minute or two before rinsing them off with running water.
Myth: You Don’t Need to Wash Frozen Fruits and Veggies
Frozen fruits and veggies undergo processing before packaging. Often, they’re washed and blanched before they get to the supermarket shelves. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t attract bacteria.
While most frozen produce is fine to consume without washing, read the instructions because some manufacturers advise you to wash before cooking. It’s even more essential to wash frozen produce before eating when you’re defrosting and refrigerating.
Myth: Pre-Washed Fruits and Vegetables Need Rinsing
Even the FDA discourages from washing pre-washed fruits and vegetables. Usually, the produce is thoroughly washed to meet consumption standards and is well preserved.
It goes through a rigorous process that eliminates all risks and removes bacteria. Repeating the washing process at home is unlikely to change anything. If further washing is necessary, you’ll see the instructions in the package.
Myth: You Don’t Need to Wash Produce From Your Garden
If you’re gardening, you don’t have to wash your fruits and vegetables, right? Wrong. Bacteria and fungi are unseen guests in your garden.
The pesticides and chemicals you use in your garden can also make your homegrown food hazardous for consumption before washing. Maintaining good cleaning standards will eliminate any pesky critters on your produce.