How to Wash
Washing and rubbing your veggies and fruits with hands under running water may remove dirt and microorganism. When it comes to those with firm skin, it is more effective to scrub them with a food brush than rubbing with hands. FDA attorney Marc Sanchez suggests avoiding using warm or hot water because they allow microorganisms to enter through the stem or blossom end.
Are rinsing and scrubbing effective in removing pesticide residue? In most cases, yes. But a 2017 review study shows that soaking in salt, acidic, or alkaline water then rinsing is more effective than rinsing alone across most produce types. However, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) advises against using detergent or commercial produce wash because it can lead to a new residue. The ingestion of such residue is not yet adequately studied.
An even more comprehensive and effective way of removing dirt, microorganisms, and pesticide residue is to peel your produce. But the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) suggests to clean them thoroughly anyway because cross-contamination can happen during handling.
Here's a quick summary of how to clean your produce.
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