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Why do I Need to Wash Produce?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Consumers are directed to wash produce before consumption for a variety of reasons, whether it is organic or conventionally farmed. Some types, especially leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and chard, need to be washed even more thoroughly because they grow in close contact with irrigation water. If you wash produce, you will ensure better flavor and reduce the risk of eating contaminated foods.

The most important reason to wash produce is to remove surface dirt, bacteria, fungus, insects, and slugs. Organic produce in particular tends to have a higher population of slugs and insects, which is not unhealthy, but can result in an unpleasant flavor or texture. All produce also carries a certain amount of dirt, whether it is a root vegetable or a tree fruit. It is also a good idea to wash produce so that you can remove bacteria and fungus, which occur naturally on most crops, but can cause stomach upset.

Bananas don't need to be washed.
Bananas don't need to be washed.

Consumers should also wash produce that has been conventionally farmed because it often has traces of pesticides and in some cases herbicides. Conventional farms utilize pesticides to prevent infestation of their crops, and consumption of pesticides is dangerous, even in small amounts. In some instances, farms use genetically modified “round-up ready” crops which are designed to resist certain herbicides, preventing crops from being overtaken by aggressive weeds. Many herbicides are also harmful, and if you wash produce, it will eliminate many of these dangerous chemical traces.

Fruit that grows on the ground, like strawberries, must be washed to remove dirt.
Fruit that grows on the ground, like strawberries, must be washed to remove dirt.

Produce is also handled by a large number of people. Even highly mechanized farming operations expose produce to human hands, and the produce handlers in the supermarket often handle produce extensively. Finally, individual shoppers also handle fruits and vegetables while they are picking out the perfect produce. Many grocery store shoppers do not wash their hands before handling produce, so it is up to you to wash produce and remove any bacterial traces they may have left behind.

Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, should be washed thoroughly because they are typically grown in close contact with irrigation water.
Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, should be washed thoroughly because they are typically grown in close contact with irrigation water.

All types of produce can be washed, although different techniques are required for different types. Many markets also sell special soaps and washes for produce. To wash hard produce like root vegetables and some tree fruits, scrub it with a produce brush under running water. For more delicate vegetables like leafy greens, wash produce under cool running water until the surface dirt is removed and then use a salad spinner to dry it. Fruits and berries should also be washed, especially fruit which grows on the ground, like strawberries.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

Here is an easy and cheap tip for making your own fruit and vegetable wash. Simply take a spray bottle and fill it about half-way with 5 percent acidity white vinegar. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and give it a good shake to completely mix the solution.

Every time you wash fruits and vegetables, all you have to do is spray them first with the vinegar and water mixture. It will help to remove germs and pesticides naturally.

Ocelot60

What is the best type of solution to use for washing fruits and vegetables? I bought a spray wash especially for this purpose, but it was expensive and didn't last very long.

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    • Bananas don't need to be washed.
      By: Nikolai Sorokin
      Bananas don't need to be washed.
    • Fruit that grows on the ground, like strawberries, must be washed to remove dirt.
      By: JOsh moates
      Fruit that grows on the ground, like strawberries, must be washed to remove dirt.
    • Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, should be washed thoroughly because they are typically grown in close contact with irrigation water.
      By: geargodz
      Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, should be washed thoroughly because they are typically grown in close contact with irrigation water.
    • Produce may have herbicides on them.
      By: tuayai
      Produce may have herbicides on them.
    • Spinach needs to be washed thoroughly.
      By: margo555
      Spinach needs to be washed thoroughly.
    • Chard should be washed thoroughly because it grows in close contact with irrigation water.
      By: Quanthem
      Chard should be washed thoroughly because it grows in close contact with irrigation water.
    • Delicate vegetables can be put in a salad spinner to dry after washing.
      By: nito
      Delicate vegetables can be put in a salad spinner to dry after washing.
    • Organic produce tends to have more incidences of slugs and insects.
      By: Tupungato
      Organic produce tends to have more incidences of slugs and insects.
    • Apples should be washed to get rid of pesticides.
      By: Melpomene
      Apples should be washed to get rid of pesticides.
    • Produce purchased from chain grocers typically should be washed.
      By: berc
      Produce purchased from chain grocers typically should be washed.
    • Conventional farms spray crops with pesticides that can cause a variety of health problems if consumed in larger enough quantities.
      By: il-fede
      Conventional farms spray crops with pesticides that can cause a variety of health problems if consumed in larger enough quantities.