Proper Ways to Wash Produce
Caroline Samuelsen
| 3 min read
Medically reviewed by Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD
When returning from the grocery store with bags full of fresh produce, you need to make sure your produce is properly cleaned before you prepare it. Your produce could harbor microbes that can make you ill. Let’s look at why we need to wash produce and how to wash different kinds.
Why you Need to Wash your Produce
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates around 48 million people get sick each year from consuming contaminated fruits and vegetables. Unwashed produce can harbor bacteria and other microbes, pests and trace amounts of pesticides.
A bacterial contamination like E. coli (Escherichia coli) is unfortunately a common infection that can happen when consuming contaminated foods or unpasteurized drinks. E. coli is a group of bacteria that normally lives in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but certain strains can get introduced to your system and cause an infection, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms can include diarrhea, low fever, stomach cramps and more.
Washing can also remove trace amounts of pesticides, but exposure through fresh fruits and vegetables is too small to pose a risk, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
People typically give their produce a quick rinse with water to wash it. While water is enough, the FDA recommends scrubbing your firm produce, such as watermelons and cucumbers, as well as rinsing it to remove visible dirt as well as infectants that are not visible to the eye.
Learn how to properly clean different types of produce:
Best Ways to Wash Produce
There are a few different ways to properly clean your produce, but it will vary based on the type, such as harder fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots, or easily damaged produce such as lettuce or berries. Wait to wash your produce until directly before preparation as early washing can promote bacteria growth and speed spoilage. Before washing your produce, be sure to clean counters and wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds to ensure you are not transferring bacteria to your produce.
Washing Berries
The pressure of running water can cause berries to burst. Instead, place your fresh berries in a colander, then put that colander in a large bowl filled with cold water. Leave it there for a few minutes to let the berries soak to wash off excess dirt.
Washing Vegetables
There are different types of vegetables and a few different ways to wash them. You can wash and scrub root vegetables like carrots or radishes under cool water. A produce brush can help with this. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli are sturdy, but it’s best to cut them into florets and soak them in cold water. Scrubbing is not as necessary for these vegetables.
Washing Fruits
Fruits can be more challenging to clean as they bruise easily. Before washing your fruit, cut out parts that have been bruised already. On firm fruits like melons and apples, use a produce brush to scrub the outside of the fruit to remove bacteria.
Washing Leafy Greens
When washing vegetables like cabbage and lettuce, remove the outer layer leaves and throw it away. Then, chop up the leaves with a sharp knife and place the chopped pieces in a salad spinner. Submerge the leaves in cold water and spin the leaves. Observe how the dirt falls to the bottom of the bowl. Repeat this process as necessary, then pat dry your leaves.
Washing Delicate Produce
Certain produce such as cucumbers, mushrooms, tomatoes or grapes may bruise easily if you scrub them intensely. Soak them under cold water and use a clean towel or your washed hands to lightly scrub dirt off the produce.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Related:
- The Month-by-Month Guide for When to Eat Michigan Produce
- A Water Hater's Guide to Drinking More Water
- Sustainable Cleaning Supplies and Eco-Friendly Alternatives
