Washing Produce Basics

Do you really need to wash produce?

Is washing fruit and vegetable with water enough?

There is no obvious answer.  Cleaning methods vary depending on the fruit or vegetable so see my guidelines below. As a general rule of thumb, you usually need to thoroughly clean produce however many consumers actually waste time by over-washing. 

General Guidelines:

• Washing fruits and vegetables just prior to consumption is the best way to avoid spoilage.  Produce will spoil earlier if you wash ahead of time.
• Running all produce under running water (do not submerge in a water bath) is beneficial.
• It is said that acidic liquids such as white vinegar or apple cider vinegar assist in purifying the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable but is not necessary on leafy greens.

Homemade Fruit & Vegetable Wash:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 T baking soda
• Juice of ½ lemon

Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle.

Fruits

Waxy fruits may benefit from acid/water rinses

Fruits with a peel may require rinsing and slight scrubbing motions 

Vegetables

Rinsing under water is sufficient, and cooking methods generally kill microorganism at high temperatures

Whole Leafy Greens

Rinse with running water 

Loose Leaf Greens (Bagged Greens)

These are generally triple washed on manufacturers’ site and therefore do not require a second rinsing.

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