How to Clean Fresh Produce to Remove Bacteria

Each year seems to bring a new tainted produce scare—everything from spinach and cucumbers to cantaloupe. Last week it was grape tomatoes. What is a whole-food, plant-based eater supposed to do? The very foods that are supposed to make us healthy are now making us sick—or worse—they are killing us.

Should we buy those expensive veggie washes to remove bacteria from the surface of fresh fruits and vegetables? Researchers at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University found rinsing under cold running water worked just as well as the veggie washes; using a scrub brush did slightly better, removing 85% of bacteria. The best solution was a diluted vinegar rinse that removed 98% of the surface bacteria.

An acidic wash is an easy and inexpensive thing to do at home. You will need some ordinary household vinegar which is available at the grocery store for less than $5.00 for a gallon. The only other item required is a spray bottle; mix up a solution of diluted vinegar and keep it under the sink ready for daily use on smooth-skinned fruits and vegetables. For those leafy and irregular-shaped vegetables where a spray is not practical, prepare an acidic rinse in a large bowl. Either way, a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water is recommended:

4 cup spray bottle = 1 cup vinegar + 3 cups water
3 cup spray bottle = 3/4 cup vinegar + 2 1/4 cups water
2 cup spray bottle = 1/2 cup vinegar + 1 1/2 cups water

For Smooth-Skinned Fruits & Vegetables:
1. Spray with about 5-6 squirts of the vinegar solution, enough to over the entire surface area.
2. Rub gently with your hand to make sure the skin is coated thoroughly.
3. Rinse well under cold running water to remove vinegar flavor.
4. Dry with a clean towel.

For Leafy Vegetables:
1. Prepare 1 cup vinegar + 3 cups water in a large bowl; mix well.
2. Dip individual leaves into the solution.
3. Rinse well under cold running water to remove vinegar flavor.
4. Spin dry with a salad spinner.

For Irregular-Shaped Vegetables: (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)
1. Prepare 1 cup vinegar + 3 cups water in a large bowl; mix well.
2. Soak vegetables for at least 2 minutes.
3. Rinse well under cold running water to remove vinegar flavor.
4. Spin dry with a salad spinner.

Additional Tips:
1. Hard-skinned fruits and vegetables, such as squash and melons, need to be washed, too, even if you don’t eat the rind or skin. Bacteria on the outer skin can be transferred to the inner flesh when cut.

2. Since bacteria and dirt are usually trapped at the blossom and stem ends of fruit, the Tennessee researchers suggest slicing off both ends after rinsing.

3. Cut out bruised or damaged areas where bacteria can thrive.