Avoid serious illness with these simple, effective steps.
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Chances are youve gotten into the habit in recent years of rinsing off yourromaine lettuceor spinach.
Cleaning vegetables is important not just to remove unpleasant dirt and pesticides but also for your health.
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coli,to come into contact with produce through soil or water during growth.
Contamination can also happen after harvest, during storage or preparation, Gavin says.
Starting with clean tools is critical.
The running water effectively washes away dirt and bacteria.
What About Soaking?
Soaking vegetables can actually reintroduce any contamination, Gavin says.
Plus, the safety and effectiveness of these washes hasnt been thoroughly tested, she notes.
For most vegetables, a rinse under running water is enough, she says.
Just be sure to rinse everything well afterward to remove any vinegar taste.
Farmers Market vs.
Grocery Store Produce
What about those funky-looking heirloom carrots or winter squash from your neighborhood farmers market?
Surely those are safe to eat without washing first since they came right from the farm, right?
Well, yes and no.
Farmers markets and homegrown produce often travel less and usually skip some cleaning steps used for supermarket items.
you’ve got the option to often see the difference right on the surface of the vegetables.
Even though store-bought produce is commercially washed, it can still carry bacteria on the surface, says Gavin.
Be sure to start with clean hands and a clean work area to avoid any cross-contamination.
