Washing Fruit and Veg (including homegrown)

[Guest guest]

I don't have time to post any more articles now, but have had a quick

check on the internet and there are loads of articles about washing

fruit and vegetables.

 

Jo

 

http://www.canfightbac.org/cpcfse/en/cookwell/ask/washing_foods/

 

Washing fruits & vegetables

Whether they come from your garden, the market, or the store—fruits

and vegetables should be washed just before serving. They should

never be consumed without being washed.

• Wash produce under clean, potable, running water.

• Use a vegetable scrub brush on produce with a firm skin such

as carrots, potatoes, melons and squash.

• Always wash produce, such as squash, melons and oranges, even

if you don't eat the outer rind. Bacteria on the outer surface can be

transferred to the inner flesh when the item is cut or peeled.

• Discard outer leaves of leafy vegetables and wash produce

thoroughly under clean, potable, running water-making sure all dirt

has been removed.

 

• How do I keep grapes from getting moldy?

Do you wash your grapes before storing them in the fridge or are they

stored in a closed plastic bag? Mold develops because of moisture. Be

sure the bag has some holes in it and do not wash the grapes until

ready to use. Also clean and sanitize the produce drawer in which

they are stored to remove any mould spores which may be present. Wash

with hot soapy water, then with a mixture of 5 ml/1 tsp bleach mixed

with 750 mL/3 cups water.

What is the actual duration for soaking vegetables?

When vegetables are soaked they lose vitamins and minerals. So as a

general rule, it should not be done. However, when cleaning leafy

green or dense vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussel

sprouts they should be soaked in water for a few minutes to dislodge

dirt then rinsed thoroughly under running water.

Why shouldn't we wash our fruits and vegetables with a cleaner when

we wash our hands with soap? We know quite well that there is an

increase of food poisonings and illnesses. We still eat more and

more fruits and vegetables.

There is a possibility that a cleaner used in cleaning fruits and

vegetables could leave a residue on them. Washing fruits and

vegetables under fresh running water gently using a brush as needed

could be as effective if not more than using cleaner. As for our

hands, the use of soap is recommended to reduce the bacterial load or

any dirt on them since they are used more often to manipulate a

variety of food commodities especially when preparing a meal.

Washing hand with soap could avoid cross-contamination.

I need to clarify what " commercial- non-chemical " food wash product

you can recommend for washing a large amount of fresh fruits and

vegs. I prepare " funeral reception " luncheons in the church hall. So

far we have been advised to use 1] a dish soap and vinegar wash and

2] a product called " eco clean " I am impressed with Eco clean and it

is not too expensive. I don't know who sells it as I got it from a

friend. It is a green gel product. Also can you possibly advise me as

to where I can find a sort of industry or health set of kitchen

standards for various food preparations that would apply to church

functions.

The products you mentioned can leave a residue on fruits and

vegetables which can cause health problems. Special produce washes

remove chemical residues but they do not kill bacteria or moulds.

Instead rinse them thoroughly under cool running water with enough

water to loosen the dirt and bacteria and wash them away. Use a

vegetable brush to gently scrub produce with rough surfaces. Soak

leafy green or dense vegetables in water for a few minutes to

dislodge dirt then rinse thoroughly under running water. Contact your

local environmental health/public health office for standards you

should be following.

Hi! I would like to know if it is allright to clean our kitchen

counter top with cleaning products found on the market (Hertel,

Fantastic)? Can they leave chemical residues on the counter? What

would be the best method to clean kitchen counters? Thank you!

If you want to use a commercial product to cleam your kitchen

counters, read the label to ensure that it has been made for and is

safe for that use.

However, hot, soapy water is a good way to wash counters. Make sure

you are using a clean cloth. Once clean, rinse with hot, clear water.

Then sanitize the cloth and counters with a solution of 1 mL (01 tsp)

of household bleach in 3 cups of water. Let the counters and cloth

air dry.

I've heard that salt is a good produce cleanser. I've also heard that

vinegar is good, and that baking soda is good too. Any research

bearing this out by testing before and after for pathogens and

agricultural and post agricultural applications? If you can tell me

that any of these (salt, vinegar, baking soda, or a combination, or,

ANYTHING!) are effective, please tell me how to use them. How long to

soak, and how much to use in how much water. Wow, thanks so much,

Troy Santos.

Research has shown that vinegar and baking soda are no more effective

as a produce cleaner than cool running water and may, in fact, leave

residues on the produce. So rinse produce with enough water to remove

any dirt or bacteria which may be clinging to it. Use a vegetable

brush on those with tougher skins such as cantaloupe. Discard the

outer leaves of leafy greens such as lettuce and cabbage and soak the

remaining leaves before rinsing. Soak dense vegetables like broccoli

in salted water before rinsing to remove any insects which might be

present.

Can I wash grapes or apples with a vinegar rinse and then rinse off

with cool water? Also I am allergic to house hold cleaners. I have

been using straight vinegar when cleaning my bathrooms. Does the

vinegar kill the bacteria? Thanks Karen

Washing grapes or apples with a vinegar rinse is unnecessary may

leave a vinegar residue on the fruit. Instead, wash them in cool

running water using enough water to flush away any contaminants which

might be present. Mrs. Cookwell does not provide household cleaning

advice.

 

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/healthydiet/fruitandvegq/

 

Do I need to wash or peel fruit and vegetables?

It's a good idea to wash fruit and vegetables before you eat them to

ensure that they are clean, and that bacteria that might be on the

outside are removed.

 

If a vegetable or piece of fruit is especially dirty, washing might

not be enough to get it clean, so then you could peel it. For

example, carrots sometimes need scraping or peeling to remove soil.

 

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5353.html

 

Germs can adhere to the surface of produce and can be passed to the

flesh when cut (cross contamination). The most important thing you

can do is wash all fruits and vegetables in clean drinking water

before eating, even if you do not plan to eat the skin, such as

melons or oranges. Wash the produce just before you plan to use it,

not when you put it away. However, lettuce can be rinsed before

refrigerating to help maintain crispness. Washing in slightly warm

water brings out the flavor and aroma of the fruit or vegetable you

are preparing.

 

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/4336.htm

 

What are the best ways to keep raw fruits and vegetables safe?

Wash your hands before preparing food.

Because some produce washes are costly, we advise consumers to wash

fresh fruits and vegetables with distilled water. Soak all produce

for one to two minutes to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.

Why use distilled water? Because distilled or bottled water has been

filtered and purified to remove contaminants.

For produce with thick skin, use a vegetable brush to help wash away

hard-to-remove microbes.

Some produce should not be soaked in water. Put fragile produce in a

colander and spray it with distilled water.

Clean your counter top, cutting boards, and utensils after peeling

produce and before further cutting. Bacteria from the outside of raw

produce can be transferred to the inside when it is cut or peeled.

Wash kitchen surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after

preparing each food item.

Eating on the run? Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and use

it to wash apples and other fruits.

Don't forget that homegrown fruits and vegetables should also be well

washed.