Why you should be washing all your produce before you use it

 

 

 

 

Here is Why you should be washing all your produce before you use it!!!!

• Cleaning your produce before you eat it is a lot easier than you may think.Water and a paper or cloth towel are all you need.
• Even if your fruit has skin (think: cantaloupes) that you don’t plan on eating, you should still wash the entire fruit before eating it (including the skin).
• Washing your produce with water will not protect you from bacteria such as E.coli.

.You’ve probably are already washing fruits and vegetables under the tap. But does washing your produce before eating it really help get rid of germs? You might be wondering if there is a correct way to clean produce.

How should fruit and vegetables be washed?

The good news is, washing most produce with water may get rid of pesticide residue, debris, and dirt. The not so good news: washing your produce wont get rid of  bacteria like E.coli, that can adhere to the fruits and vegetables you love to eat.

Most of the bacteria will be in the soil attached to the produce. Washing to remove any soil is, therefore, particularly important.

When you wash vegetables, wash them under a running tap and rub them under water, for example in a bowl of fresh water.

It is always advisable to wash all fruit and vegetables before you eat them to ensure they are clean and to help remove bacteria from the outside.

Peeling or cooking fruit and vegetables can also remove bacteria.

What is the key advice for safely storing, handling and cooking raw vegetables?

• • Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling raw food, including vegetables.
  • Keep raw food, including vegetables, separate from ready-to-eat foods.
  • Use different chopping boards, knives and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods, or wash these items thoroughly in between uses.
  • Check the label – unless packaging around vegetables says “ready to eat”, you must wash, peel or cook them before eating.

Yes, washing produce can help get rid of germs.

Cleaning your fruits and vegetables when you get home is not just good practice. To get rid of germs, we recommend you should clean your produce before you cut, eat, or cook it. Experts recommend washing all produce under running water and drying with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present on the surface.

Swathi B, Head of Microbiology at Fogiene Sciences says that  “Since produce can pass through many hands and environments before it ends up in your shopping cart, exposure to germs is higher”.

How do bacteria get onto vegetables?

Bacteria can get onto fruit and vegetables in several ways. They may be present in water used for irrigation, organic fertilisers, or droppings from birds and other animals that go into fields.

Should people who might be vulnerable to infection handle raw vegetables?

There are no indications that loose vegetables are regularly contaminated with E.coli or other harmful bacteria.

People who are vulnerable to infection, such as pregnant women, the elderly or anyone with a weakened immune system, should follow the guidelines on preparation and good hygiene carefully. There is no need for them to avoid preparing such foods.

Should I avoid buying vegetables with soil on them?

No. Some vegetables are always sold with some soil on them. It’s good practice to remove as much soil as possible when preparing vegetables.

Loose vegetables may involve a bit more preparation than if they are pre-packed, but as long as this is done carefully there is no need to avoid them.

Bear in mind that more heavily soiled vegetables may take longer to prepare for cooking.