How to Properly Wash Fruits and Vegetables
This isn’t a complicated process: Use clean hands to thoroughly rinse produce under cool, running water—including produce you plan to peel. You should also use a dedicated produce brush to scrub dirt off firmer fruits and vegetables.
If you’re preparing lettuce—and you’re not using pre-washed greens—remove and discard the outermost leaves, then separate, wash, and dry the remaining leaves.
If you’re worried about water temperature or time spent washing, don’t be—they don’t make a major difference. “We’ve studied 60, 80, and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and found no statistically significant difference,” Schaffner said. “Duration also doesn’t make much practical difference.”
And skip any special soaps, bleaches, commercial produce washes, or even baking soda and vinegar concoctions. “These products have not been shown to provide a meaningful food safety benefit over water alone, and in some cases, may leave behind residues or alter the taste and quality of the produce,” Coffman said.45
