Not washing fruits and vegetables puts you at risk for salmonella, listeria and Escherichia Coli (E. coli).
“If it’s not packaged and labeled ‘ready to eat,’ we have no idea where that fruit or vegetable has been or who has touched it,” said Kari Mizgalski, a Marshfield Clinic dietitian.
Watch this video
Learn how to wash fruits and vegetables to protect your home from food poisoning.
Trouble viewing this video? Watch it on YouTube.
17 Comments
I also can not pull up the video on my kindle .. could you please tell me the ratio of the vinegar / water for cleaning fruit and veggies. Love Shine 365 … it is so informative!!! Diane
I'm sorry you're having difficulty watching the video, Diane. Can you view it on YouTube? https://youtu.be/u0-tJA2xmfo
The ratio is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
Thanks for reading Shine365! -Kirstie
I've been washing fruit and veg for years, just rinsing won't get rid of bacteria, the vinegar is the answer as it acts as an antibacterial. Good advice for people that don't normally practice this. Think of how many people have handled your pear, apple, etc before you purchase it, its just a gross thought so I wash everything and rarely eat the peel because of the pesticides. Fruit is porous.
Shouldn't that lettuce be cut up and put in a salad spinner?
A couple of years ago my husband had a stem cell transplant, so washing everything was a must, in addition to rinsing fruit and veggies with skins and peals you don't eat, and soaking berries in vinegar water, I pulled the lettuce apart, and also soaked that for a few minutes in vinegar water, rinse really good and spin dry it, and fruit with edible skins like apples, pears, plums and whatever, after a good soak and rinse, I scrubbed them good with baking soda and rinse again.
I enjoy these segments of information that you share with us and find many helpful. Thank you.
I'm glad you're enjoying the topics, Judy! Thanks for reading and watching. -Kirstie
Thank you.. I have been buying an organic spray.. for years…, now I have a inexpensive alternative. Thanks
Good article. Thanks. Never would have thought of using vinegar.
It doesn't seem to me that "washing" in cool water alone does much to remove waxes or bacteria or anything. That is just "rinsing".
I often wash grapes, tomatoes, strawberries and similar items by adding a few drops or more of dish detergent to a large bowl of cool water and swishing them around in it. After all, you're supposed to "wash" produce, right? I also wash the outside of melons with dish soap and rinse very well. I rinse them all really well until the water is completely clear of course. Is this safe? It seems to really get any wax or white film like on grapes off very well.
Hi, Gayle. Marshfield Clinic nutritionist Kari says she does not recommend using soap as soap residue may remain on the fruits and vegetables.
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie
Gayle said she uses dish detergent, then uses the words dish soap. Which is it? If it is detergent it doesn't leave a residue. Soap leaves a residue
Can't get the video playing. I still want to know what to do. I buy mainly organic fruits and vegetables. Do I do the same for them?
Hi, Mary. Can you view the video here? https://youtu.be/u0-tJA2xmfo -Kirstie
Thanks that information was helpful. Didn't know they waxed fruit.
I'm happy you found the information useful, Anthony. Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie