About two weeks ago I came into my daughters kitchen and noticed her washing her fruits and vegetables. And after a recent article
on Eating Well, talking about how many things are being recalled, I would think you would want to find out how to prevent food poisoning from fruits & vegetables alone.
I won’t kid you …. Food poisoning from vegetables? It’s a little scary to me. And of course I wonder how much is real and how much is a scare tactic to get you to read what they are writing. We all know that fear sells right?
So I will share the Eating Well article. At the same time want to warn you not to take everything as fact. Food being recalled is fact …. but how much of the fruits and vegetables that go out are really contaminated? I did not see those facts in the article.
If you are concerned, and I will say that I am too, I think it is something we can easily solve ourselves.
And that’s the main reason I’m exploring and asking you to find out how to prevent food poisoning from fruits and vegetables.
Here’s the trick to prevent food poisoning!
Consumer Reports a very old school group that I trust and have turned to for decades says “Our info is backed by science, research, and 85+ years of expertise”. Here is their advice, after looking into vinegar, baking soda and the other ways you can scrub produce.
“As a general rule, we suggest washing all produce, including those that will be peeled, in cold running water for 15 to 20 seconds. Make sure you do it before you cut into the fruit or vegetable so that you don’t transfer any bacteria or pesticides from the surface to the flesh. You can also use a vegetable brush or rub the produce with your hands if it has a tougher skin.”
Extra ideas from Chef Marian
- There are also a few common sense things you can do like start with clean hands.
- I don’t recommend using soap bleach or commercial washes because they can leave behind harmful residue.
- They sell produce brushes for simple scrubbing of fruits and vegetables. I think that’s a good idea.
- Make sure you dry the fruits and vegetables.
- And don’t wash the fruits and vegetables when they first come into your kitchen, That can lead to mold and my experiences is that fruits and vegetables like strawberries last longer if you wait to wash them.
And then I will add that strawberries and blueberries are a real pain in the butt. So our lemons and tangerines. They go bad so quickly so ….
I guess the Number One recommendation I have for you is : Remember when you’re buying only buy what you think you can consume in the next three or four days. Or go with what the French do ~ buy today for today or today and tomorrow.
I know we don’t have time but it’s sort of a therapy to go shopping and leisurely pick out fresh produce. If you decide to make that a ‘self care’ priority, going to the market every day or every other day can be a break from the world we live in and the problems facing us.
I am shopping for food and no longer watching the news as my top two things that brings me peace. I am wishing that for you too!
Do you have any additional suggestions of things you do to make your world peaceful? Reach out and will do a blog about it and feature you in the blog and what you have to say!
With garlic, gusto and gratitude,
📧 ChefMarianKitchenConfident@gmail.com
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