Some foods may require additional scrubbing. Root vegetables, like carrots, are grown entirely underground and may harbor extra dirt and debris.
You also want to pay special attention to lettuce. “Leafy greens require a bit more attention because their folds and crevices can trap dirt, debris, and microorganisms,” Vanessa Coffman, PhD, director of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, told HEALTH.
The only exception is when you’re dealing with pre-washed produce. In those situations, additional washing is unnecessary and may even introduce new germs into your food.
“You risk it coming into contact with a dirty or contaminated sink or surface,” Don Schaffner, PhD, department chair, distinguished professor, and extension specialist in food science at Rutgers University, told HEALTH.
Washing Produce Reduces Risk—But Doesn’t Eliminate It
Washing your produce helps remove dirt, pesticides, and germs, but it doesn’t remove all contaminants or provide complete protection against illness.
