There’s something satisfying about coming home from the grocery store or farmer’s market with a haul of bright, colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables. And by now, we all know that it’s important to make sure they’re clean before we cook or eat them.
But do you really need that fancy produce wash? And do you really need to wash organic fruits and veggies?
Here, we help clear up some of the confusion surrounding the cleanliness of your produce.
You can skip the expensive produce wash.
Dangerous food recalls have lead many consumers to rush out and invest in fancy, costly produce washes in an attempt to make sure that they’re thoroughly cleaning the produce they bring home. But studies have shown that these washes are no more effective than regular water, and the residue that can be left behind by many commercial strength produce cleaners haven’t been tested by the FDA for safety. Washing fruits and vegetables with a vegetable brush in cold tap water, without soap or detergents, is a safe, effective way to make sure your food is clean.
Organic and homegrown produce should be cleaned, too.
Even if the organic fruits and veggies you bring home haven’t been grown with pesticides, and even if you grow the produce yourself, it’s still important to clean them thoroughly before eating. Many different hands handle organic produce before it ends up in your basket, and homegrown food is still subject to the potential risks of municipal water and soil contamination.
Triple-washed greens are good to go.
Unless it’s specifically mentioned on the label, lettuce, spinach, and other greens that have been triple-washed are safe to eat without re-washing. If you don’t purchase tripled-washed greens, soak the ones you do get in cold water for 1-2 minutes and rinse before using.
Make sure your sink and hands are clean, too.
Before washing your produce, make sure your sink is cleaned (preferably with a natural, non-toxic cleaner), to prevent the transfer of germs and bacteria. And this goes for your hands, too. Take a minute to wash with warm, soapy water before handling your fruits and veggies.
And did you know? Produce and other industrial food companies that use EAU Technology’s SafeWater are delivering products to consumers that have been cleaned in a facility by technology that is safe, sustainable, and non-toxic to humans, animals, and the environment. Take a bite out of that!
Learn more about what EAU Technologies is doing to keep our clients and communities safe and informed, and our water supply clean and healthy, by browsing our website.
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