How to Wash Produce and Why

By Richela Fabian Morgan, DivineCaroline

Washing your produce may seem like plain old common sense. After all, who wants to eat dirty melons or gritty spinach? But while enjoying the purest taste of our produce is important, the real reason we should be motivated to wash it is to maintain good health and avoid getting a food-borne illness.

Between the pathogens and residual pesticides left on fruit and vegetable surfaces, the threat of these illnesses lurks on the skin of every peach and in the crevice of every lettuce head that you see in the supermarket. During the warmer months, when people’s consumption of raw produce is much higher, we have to be especially careful of how we prepare our foods.

The number-one way to avoid getting sick is to make sure that your produce is clean. Even if you grow your own or buy organic, a thorough rinse is always a good idea.

The Power of Good Old-Fashioned Water
Recognizing the paranoia of the masses after many food-borne illnesses were reported in the media, pharmaceutical and cleaning companies began introducing an array of produce washes. Walk through the fruits-and-vegetables section in your local supermarket, and you’ll find products like Biokleen or Fit. But buying a produce wash may not be the answer.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Laura M.

10:06AM PDT on Apr 11, 2012

Thanks!

send a green star

KARLOLINA G.

2:52AM PDT on Oct 11, 2011

Thank you.

David P.

11:44AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

The fact that she recommends washing your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning your veggies negates anything she says.

Christa L.

11:01AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

I always add vinegar to the water I wash my vegetables in and then give one or two more rinses in clear water, If some veggies have a lot of bugs, I use salt instead and the bugs will float free.

Jennifer C.

5:02AM PDT on May 28, 2011

Thanks for sharing the great info.

Jane R.

2:50PM PDT on May 3, 2011

Thanks. Very good information.

Elizabeth M.

12:37PM PDT on Apr 6, 2011

Thanks for the information Mel. I wondered also about the antibacterial soap, as I have read it will damage fish. Also I have found with mushrooms that they get rubbery if water is used?

Christine F.

11:44AM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

Some interesting information there, thank you.
eg, I thought water would spoil the mushrooms.
Also some interesting comments :)

Haywood U.

8:49AM PDT on Sep 1, 2010

Wow, I never knew. I always just eat my peaches, apples, and nectarines - maybe run them under water and rub them down with a paper towel, but never wash & scrub them! Same with bell peppers.

8:45AM PDT on Sep 1, 2010