Vegetables – How to wash fruit and veggies effectively

food-safetyfruitvegetables

When eating or preparing fruit and vegetables, you should wash them beforehand to get rid of pesticides, bacterias, fertilizers, etc. However, I notice that I (and others I know), just put the thing for a few seconds under cold running water while rubbing it softly.

Is this quick rinse enough to remove those unwanted things or at least some of them? What big of a proportion are washed away by this?

I've found this question, but I'm not satisfied with it.

Best Answer

Pesticide reduction by simply rinsing with tap water is significant, but doesn't remove everything. Of those tested 75% were removed with plain tap water. http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2815&q=376676

You can quickly blanch your fruit or vegetables to sanitize the outer skin. http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/blanching.html

A mild vinegar solution can help fruits and vegetables last longer in the fridge. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14540742