Don’t Forget To Use This Before Consuming Fruits and Vegetables!
While it’s true that most fruits and vegetables are grown in clean environments, there’s no guarantee that they’re completely free of contaminants. And, even if they are clean when you purchase them, they can quickly become contaminated if you don’t clean them before eating. You could be exposing yourself to potentially harmful bacteria that can […]
While it’s true that most fruits and vegetables are grown in clean environments, there’s no guarantee that they’re completely free of contaminants. And, even if they are clean when you purchase them, they can quickly become contaminated if you don’t clean them before eating. You could be exposing yourself to potentially harmful bacteria that can cause illness and other contaminants.
There are several good reasons to clean your fruits and vegetables before consuming them, and in this post, we’ll discuss a few of the most important ones. Trust us, it’s worth taking the extra time to wash your produce before you eat it.
WHAT’S ON YOUR PRODUCE?
It’s important to clean your vegetables and fruits before consuming them for a variety of reasons. First, it removes potential dirt, bacteria, and pesticides that may be present on the surface of the produce. Second, it can help to improve the taste of fruits and vegetables. And finally, it can help to extend the shelf life of the product. One may think that the water that sprays onto fresh vegetables at grocery stores cleans the produce well enough, but they’re more so to make sure they don’t dry out. Plus, many hands may have touched the produce you choose to take home, so it’s a good idea to lean on the safe side. It takes just a few minutes to properly wash your produce, so why not just take the time to avoid the risk?
HOW TO WASH CORRECTLY
There are a few different ways that you can clean your fruits and vegetables. One way is to wash them under running water. Another way is to soak them in a mixture of water and vinegar. There are also fruit and vegetable-safe produce washes sold at grocery stores as well. You can also scrub them with a vegetable brush. A vegetable brush is essential if you frequently find yourself eating root vegetables. Both a good rinse and a good scrub are recommended for most vegetables.
If you don’t clean your vegetables and fruits before consuming them, you risk ingesting dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants. This can lead to gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting. In extreme cases, it can even lead to food poisoning.
Ideally, you should clean your fruits and vegetables right before consuming them. However, if you’re washing them ahead of time, make sure to dry them thoroughly before storing them in the refrigerator.
When it comes to cleaning your fruits and vegetables, you can buy pre-washed produce. If you choose to buy pre-washed produce, make sure to check the label to ensure that it was washed properly. Also, be aware there have been issues with pre-washed produce in the past with food-borne illness outbreaks, especially with ready-to-eat salad and lettuce mixes. Recent outbreaks of E.Coli and Salmonella have come from pre-washed vegetables. For this reason, even if you buy pre-washed produce, it’s still a good idea to clean it again before consuming it.
CONCLUSION
Cleaning your fruits and vegetables may seem like an extra step, but it’s definitely worth taking the time to do it. Not only will it remove potential contaminants, but it can also improve the taste and extend the shelf life of the produce. So next time you’re in a hurry, take a minute to wash your fruits and vegetables before consuming them. It’s simple to do this with some running water and a vegetable brush. Your body will thank you for it.