09/04/2020
You probably knew how important it is to sanitize fruits and vegetables even before the spread of COVID-19. But the coronavirus has meant getting more serious about sanitizing the items we bring into our home fresh produce included.
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DO wash your hands first. You don’t want to accidentally transfer germs from your hands to your produce before and after sanitizing them, since that would be quite counterproductive.
Use cold water, give each fruit or veggie a thorough rinse for at least 30 seconds before consumption, even if you’re planning to peel it and/or cook it. Avoid hot water, which can provide a pathway for microorganisms to get inside the item.
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DO consider a baking soda bath if you want to take it a step further. If cold water just doesn’t sound like enough to you, then an extra step would be a baking soda bath. A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that a baking soda soak was the most effective method of removing pesticide residue from apples, even when compared to Clorox bleach (which, it’s worth noting, should never be used on food).
To do a baking soda bath, clean and sanitize your kitchen sink, and then fill it with cold water. Next, add your baking soda—about a teaspoon should be sufficient, though you can add up to a few tablespoons if you prefer. Add your fruits and vegetables to the bath and let soak for 12 to 15 minutes, then scrub harder items and those with rinds with a vegetable brush. Thoroughly dry all items before eating.
Note that the above point about not washing your fruits and vegetables before you’re ready to eat them still stands. Only use a full baking soda bath in the sink if you’re planning on using a lot of produce items; otherwise a bowl of water with a pinch of baking soda will be enough for one or two items at a time.
@ Brussels, Belgium