Professional Opinion: Is rinsing with water enough to wash produce?
This week, Beaufort Memorial Hospital Executive Chef Eric Sayers discusses why we should always wash our produce and the proper technique for doing so.
Question. Fruits and vegetables should be washed, but what exactly is meant by "wash"? Is this step taken just to rinse grit off produce? Or will water remove bacteria, too? Should we be using soap of some kind? Should we be washing even bagged lettuce that says it's been washed?
Answer. Yes, always wash. It is important to wash vegetables to prevent possible food-borne illness. Not only does washing remove grit, but it also removes the bacteria, which mainly hide in the visible dirt. Washing also helps to reduce the surface pesticide residue, though levels are usually very low. Not only will washing your veggies make for a much better dining experience -- no one enjoys chomping on some sandy lettuce -- you will be making your food safer.
No fancy gadgets or special cleaning agents are needed. You never want to use any type of soap or chemicals, and the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend using any produce sprays or soaks. Plain water is just fine. The companies that produce food-safe sprays and soaks claim they remove more of the pesticides, but, once again, the FDA states the residue is minimal.
Peeling also helps in the cleaning process. All fruits should be washed, including that apple you're about to eat. If the item is going to be peeled, such as a banana, it isn't necessary to wash them, but it is a good practice. I wash lemons and oranges, though, especially if I am going to use the peel or zest in a recipe.
For delicate produce such as berries, rinse in a colander. Hardier produce can be washed under running water. If you want to be extra cautious, scrub with a vegetable brush.
Lettuce or leafy greens should be soaked in water and removed before dumping the water out. This will let the sand and dirt settle to the bottom. The water shouldn't be hot or ice cold either. Room temperature is best and will let the leaves "relax," allowing the dirt and sand to fall out easier. A little agitation will help, too. A salad spinner can be used afterward to remove the water, making the greens easier to dress or cook with.
Making sure your hands are clean is extremely important before you wash your vegetables, as you could contaminate your own items if your hands are dirty. Always keep fresh vegetables that you are going to eat raw or slightly cooked away from any raw meat or fish. Never store your vegetables below anything that could leak on them and be potentially dangerous.
Items that state they are washed or triple-washed do not need to be rewashed. I've spoken to many people who find it reassuring to wash these greens, and it certainly will not hurt them. If you do choose to rewash, be careful of cross-contamination, making sure your sink and cutting board are clean.
Follow reporter Rachel Damgen at twitter.com/IPBG_Rachel.
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This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 5:50 PM with the headline "Professional Opinion: Is rinsing with water enough to wash produce? ."