Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There's no need to use soap or a produce wash. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.
You've always been told to wash your fruit and vegetables, but have you ever wondered why…? Yes, there might be some residue from pesticide use that needs to be washed off, but another important reason is because of a parasite that can be present on the surface of your vegetables called Rat Lungworm.
Vinegar and Water
A solution of 10 per cent white vinegar and 90 per cent water is another cleaning method. Soak the vegetables and fruits for 20 minutes, stir them and then rinse them with plain water.
Soak Your Produce in Salt Water
Mix together 1 part salt and 9 parts water in a clean bowl or sanitized sink. Then add the fruits and vegetables you want to clean. Let the produce soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Doing this will help remove most of the pesticides, and has been shown to draw out bugs as well.
Wash or scrub fruits and vegetables under running water—even if you do not plan to eat the peel. Germs on the peel or skin can get inside fruits and vegetables when you cut them. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash is not recommended.
Washing fruit and vegetables in vinegar is a good way to remove potential bacteria. Use a solution of three parts water and one part vinegar. Plain water is also effective at removing most bacteria. Vinegar will not make produce last longer.
When you wash your fruits and vegetable with vinegar, the acidity of the vinegar kills bacteria because the acid get into the bacteria's cell membrane, causing protons to be released, which then makes the cell die.
#1: Vinegar Soaking Method
Add 1 cup of white vinegar and submerge your fruits and vegetables in the water. Let soak for 15 minutes. Drain the water and give the produce a quick rinse. To dry, lay the produce out on a kitchen towel until completely dry or hand dry each piece individually.
- Cut the leaves of cabbage and dip it in lukewarm water containing turmeric. - After 15 minutes, take it out in another utensil and rinse it for 1 to 2 times with plain water. This method will remove all the dirt as well as tiny worms from the vegetable.
A recent study found that soaking produce in baking soda solution can remove common pesticides.
Cryptosporidium is resistant to chlorine disinfection so it is tougher to kill than most disease-causing germs. The usual disinfectants, including most commonly used bleach solutions, have little effect on the parasite. An application of hydrogen peroxide seems to work best.
Depending on the type of fruit or vegetable, organic or non-organic, eaten raw or cooked you'll either want to wash it or soak it. This will help remove dirt, germs, pesticides, parasites and more.
Always cook your food to a safe internal temperature. Drink only pasteurized milk, juices, or cider. Wash, peel, or cook raw fruits and vegetables before eating. Do not use untreated manure to fertilize fruits and vegetables.
Submerge the fruit or vegetables in the baking soda water. Let soak for 12 to 15 minutes. The time will help the baking soda do its job. Swish the produce around in the water or push it down several times to ensure all sides of the produce is being cleaned.
Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars, except honey. Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites.
If all else fails, soaking the produce in salt and vinegar before cooking will dislodge them from the vegetables, allowing you to serve broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage without broccoli worms.
Accidentally ingesting maggots does not generally cause any lasting harm. However, if a person has ingested maggots through eating spoiled food, they may be at risk of food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning can range from very mild to serious, and they can sometimes last for several days.
Baking soda, whose alkalinity helps to neutralize many common acidic pesticides, is generally thought to be the most effective produce wash.
Use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Soak your fresh produce (vegetables, fruits, green leafy greens) for 10 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Use Baking Soda: Baking Soda is not disinfectant but it is very effective in cleaning off pesticide. Use 14 grams baking soda per litre of water.
The Soaking Method
Add the fruit and make sure that all pieces are submerged in the vinegar solution. Let the fruit sit in the solution for two to three minutes, then strain. Rinse the fruit completely to remove the solution, then pat dry.
A safe way to reduce the number of bacteria on your fruits and veggies is to soak your veggies in a 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water mixture. You can use distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, whichever you have on hand. Then, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, melons, potatoes, berries and other produce without a smooth or soft surface are slightly more difficult to clean. They require a soaking in a 1 to 3 vinegar and water mixture. This ensures the acidic blend kills all bacteria.
Adding vinegar to the water (1/2 cup distilled white vinegar per 1 cup water), followed by a clean water rinse, has been shown to reduce bacterial contamination but may affect texture and taste. After washing, blot dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.