Just about 48 million people fall ill because of food contamination which also includes sickness caused by fruits and vegetables. Even some of the fresh produces can harbor fungi, bacteria and other microbes; however, there are steps that will help improve the safety of fruits and vegetable consumption. Cleaning those produces as it is meant to be is very vital. On the other hand, there are certain people who wash their fruits and veggies all wrong. As far as cleaning of fruits and vegetables is concerned, it is imperative to know what’s right and what’s not! There are certain produces that requires specialized cleaning. Rinsing them under cold running water is the very first step to be done, but not all fruits and vegetables should be washed. In order to eliminate bacteria or harmful germs, cleaning them properly is very important and it will help prevent food-borne illnesses in addition. Each year millions of people are sickened and the cause of the outbreak is produce.
As the fruit grows harmful substances come into contact and it includes soil, water, farm workers and animals. After the harvesting, the produce will pass through several sets of hands which have the potential to contaminate the food with harmful bacteria and germs.
As a rule of the thumb, make sure that you wash your hands with soapy water both before and after the preparation. More or less all produce can be washed under cold running water. Firm or thick-skinned produces should be scrubbed gently with the help of a brush to remove microbes. When you are done with the washing process, dry it with a clean towel and it’s now ready to use.
There are certain fruits and vegetables, which require special attention- here’s a quick guide to washing them.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Hot peppers
- Avocado
- Apples
The aforesaid fruit types require special cleaning. When it comes to Broccoli and cauliflower, the possibility of germs and bacteria are high, so before using them, it is a must to soak them in a bowl of cold water. After having it soaked for 3 minutes, they should be washed under cold running water.
Most likely, many of us don’t think to wash the skin of an avocado, but the skin can harbor harmful bacteria while contaminating the knife as you cut. So, before cutting it, make sure that the outer part is cleaned. Scrub it gently and rinse the skin before use.
Apple stems ambush dirt and bacteria so cut both ends before eating and can be scrubbed lightly.
Hot peppers- the second most popular spice should be handled with great care, its natural oils can burn your skin and eyes.