Washing Produce May Prevent Illness

Produce should be washed before it is used as food. This may seem like a simple statement, however it is an important one.

Produce is often packaged in a bag that will state it has been washed. This merely means it may be free of the dirt that was in the field or orchard. It does not mean it is free of the sneezes, coughs and any natures calls that occurred in between.

Discarding any outer leaves of vegetables is thought to be a big help. However, the inner part of celery, lettuce and other such vegetables need to be washed as well to be sure all dirt and germs are removed.

Even foods with thick skins should be washed before using. Dirt, chemicals and bacteria on the exterior of any produce item will be quickly spread to the inside if a knife of other prep tool is used to cut or slice the item. Picture slicing a dirty banana in two. Now whatever was on the outside is on the inside of at least two sections of that banana.

Don't use harsh cleaning agents for any produce. Some claim washing with salty water does as much good without the worry of chemicals being ingested.

Be sure to dry any freshly washed produce completely. Some prefer to use paper towels, while others will keep flour sack towels available just for this task.

To be sure that produce is washed correctly, the USDA states running water should be used to clean all fruits and vegetables. A vegetable brush should be used on all foods that have a tough skin. Hands alone rubbing the fruits and vegetables that have thinner skin may be enough.

Sources:

USDA

WebMD

Personal experience