What Does Washing Produce Actually Do?

The Question: Does rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under water really do anything? The Answer: Rinsing fruit and vegetables under water helps rid the food items of soil, microorganisms and potential human pathogens such as E. coli, listeria and salmonella, according to Sanja Ilic, an assistant professor and food safety specialist at Ohio State University. However, it’s not a straightforward practice. “[Washing produce] is important of course, but it is not perfect,” Ilic told The Huffington Post. “It is not necessarily going to remove everything that’s present. For some fruits and veggies, it is more important.”  Cantaloupe, for example, has an uneven, rough outer skin that can house dirt particles. This is the sort of seemingly innocuous fruit you should give a good rinse, to prevent potential bacteria from spreading as you cut through the melon with a knife. Sprouts, which are delicious in a salad or between two thick slices of focaccia, grow in the type of humid conditions prime for bacterial growth. The Food and Drug Administration recommends thoroughly washing raw sprouts before consuming them.  Vegetables bought in bunches, like broccoli and leafy kale, and fruits such as apples and berries should be rinsed under cold water just before you intend to eat them. Although your instinct may be to rinse off berries when you bring them home, doing so actually “increases moisture and accelerates spoilage, mi...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news