How disgusting you don't wash produce before consuming | good + good

Before you grab the bright red apple in the complementary fruit bowl and immediately take a big, juicy bite, you might want to (*resist the temptation to make a cliched reference to Adam and Eve*) think of something new. According to a food science professor, it's even better if you give it a quick rinse before eating.

We've all been there: you're out and hungry, only to realize you forgot to rinse out that Honeycrisp apple you brought in your snack bag. As tempting as you may be to just rub it on your shirt sleeve and chew on it, Francisco Diez-Gonzalez , PhD, professor and director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, says it's best to wait until you can wash it. it is. Here's why, along with helpful tips from Dr. Diez-Gonzalez on how to ensure produce is spotlessly clean and, more importantly, safe to eat.

Why it is necessary to wash the products before eating

according to dr Diez-Gonzalez you should always, always rinse fresh fruits and vegetables before eating them. "The general recommendation is that all products intended to be eaten raw or fresh should be washed with drinking water before consumption," he says. "That's because foods that are eaten raw have a higher risk of contamination and therefore foodborne illness." The CDC estimates that about one in six Americans (or 48 million people) contract a foodborne illness each year.

"Contamination of fresh produce can occur at any stage in the supply chain. It can be contaminated in the field, during harvest, and during handling by food workers," says Dr. Diez-González. But in addition to these touchpoints throughout the growing and distribution process, produce can also become contaminated at home. "In the home, cross-contamination from other raw foods, such as raw or cooked meat or poultry, can be another source of disease-causing bacteria," he adds.

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The best way to wash products.

Detergents cannot guarantee perfect cleanliness and freedom from contamination, but they can help. "Washing cannot remove all pathogens, and there is currently no technology that can remove all microorganisms while preserving freshness," says Dr. Diez Gonzalez. However, he does share some ways to reduce the risk of contaminated produce, noting that research shows that using the right washing technique can help remove around 90% of the total bacterial load.

"There are several ways to wash products. The FDA guidelines are a very good place to start," says Dr. Diez-González. The FDA's seven tips for cleaning fruits and vegetables include:

1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds before and after preparing fresh produce.
2. If damage or bruising occurs prior to consumption or handling, cut off any damaged or bruised areas prior to preparation or consumption.
3. Rinse food BEFORE peeling to prevent dirt and bacteria from being transferred from the knife to the fruit or vegetable.
4. Gently rub the product while holding it under running water. No need to use soap or detergent.
5. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub solid produce like melons and cucumbers.
6. Blot the product with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce any bacteria that may be present.
7. Remove the outermost leaves from a head of lettuce or cabbage.

dr Diez-Gonzalez also suggests submerging the products in a container for a few minutes and recommends changing the water once or twice. "But if you're going to cook the produce, you don't have to wash it unless it's visibly dirty," he says.

It's important to note that using soaps or detergents when washing fruits and vegetables is not only unnecessary, it's discouraged, adds Dr. Diez-González added. "The use of soap, detergents or disinfectants is discouraged as their benefits are not significant and they may pose risks to the consumer."

If you've heard the term " dirty dozen " before and are curious if these fruits and vegetables require a different kind of washing technique, says Dr. Diez-Gonzalez that this list does not have much to offer. with the degree "dirty". the product is real. "The 'dirty dozen' list is a term coined by the Environmental Working Group to refer to varieties of produce that often contain pesticides, but most of which are within regulatory limits. The dirty dozen list has nothing to do with microbial food safety," he adds. However, if pesticides are a problem, Dr. Diez-Gonzalez points out that washing may or may not reduce pesticide residues. "Many of these are not water-soluble; they must not be attacked by washing.

Don't know what to do with all your freshly washed products? How about this refreshing Lemon Cabbage Salad?

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