You may have seen a viral video circulating a while back showing the shocking result of soaking strawberries in salt water—the “kitchen hack” depicts tiny bug-like bacteria being extracted from the strawberries when they are left in the salt water mixture for a long period of time. What ensued was an online frenzy of people panicking that they weren’t washing their producen thoroughly enough. Although we’ve always been told to rinse our produce before eating or cooking with it, sometimes we rush through the process, or don’t do it at all. What exactly happens if you eat unwashed produce, and should you be worried if you don’t do it consistently?
According to Dr. Mark Iwanicki of the New York Center for Innovative Medicine, there are two causes of concern that come with unwashed produce. “Sometimes unwashed produce harbors bacterial contamination. Plus, so much of food today is grown with the use of pesticides. Given these two factors, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of washing fruits and vegetables as a matter of course, even organic produce.” According to the FDA, nearly 48 million people a year get sick from contaminated food. With the rising cases of food borne illnesses originating from outbreaks in factories that distribute produce, it is more important than ever to wash your produce. While it’s not guaranteed that you will get sick every time you eat unwashed produce, the risk is higher if you don’t.
With that being said, based on the varying characteristics of different produce, are there some that you need to wash more thoroughly than others? “It’s best to get into the habit of washing all fruits and vegetables whether you’re going to eat them raw or cooked, peeled, or not peeled.” Dr. Iwanicki says. Being informed on what pesticides and bacteria are found in your favorite produce items is essential. One resource you can go off of is the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen, which lists the twelve produce items that are highest in pesticides. At the top of the list are fruits like strawberries, nectarines, apples, and grapes. These ones are especially important to wash, though as Dr. Iwanicki says, you should wash all of your produce before you eat it.
Another helpful tip when shopping for produce safely that Dr. Iwanicki recommends is purchasing organic when possible. Besides containing fewer pesticides, they also typically contain less additives and preservatives that are hard on our body’s digestive system. Although organic can come at a higher price point, just purchasing organic produce is one way you can shop smart without breaking the bank.
To avoid potential illness, it is important to wash your produce thoroughly before you cook with it. When possible, purchasing organic produce is one way you can avoid excessive pesticides and preservatives as well.
