Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial nutrients and are a great on-the-go snack, but it’s important to take the time to wash them before enjoying that first bite. It might seem unnecessary, but it’s definitely worth the little bit of extra time to avoid foodborne illness.

“Harmful germs on fresh fruits and vegetables can make you and your family sick, but there’s a simple solution to reduce your risks,” said Marissa Parminter, nutritionist, WakeMed Corporate & Community Health. “Simply wash them thoroughly under cold running water and then dry completely to help them last longer if storing for later use.”

Parminter does not recommend using any soap or other chemicals to clean produce since they are easily absorbed into fruits and vegetables.

“Stick to washing with cold water to remove any dirt and germs, which might be hiding in tight spaces on vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, celery or green leaves,” said Parminter. “Use your hands to gently rub delicate greens and berries, and use a clean brush to scrub firm vegetables such as cucumbers, potatoes or beets.”

Don’t skip the washing step just because you’re planning to peel! Parminter explains you should still wash the outside of produce before peeling. Drying produce after washing can also help remove any remaining dirty water or bacteria.

“It can be tempting to skip the washing step before peeling oranges, cucumbers, avocados, carrots and other commonly peeled produce,” said Parminter. “Germs on the outside of fruits and veggies can be easily spread to the inside when you peel or cut into them.”

There are several ways that dangerous bacteria can find its way onto produce, including irrigation, packing, processing and distribution.

“It’s impossible to know what’s happened along the way from farm to market so it’s best to focus on the things you can control and put good food handling practices in place to prevent common household contaminations.”

Wash Your Watermelon?

Yes, you should wash melons before you slice into them. Use cool running water and a clean scrub brush to remove any dirt.

Skip the Sink Soaking

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend soaking produce in the sink because of the likelihood of germs in the sink. Also, soaking fruits and veggies in a bowl could spread germs from one item to another.

Wash produce right before use because once you bring water into the mix, your fruits and veggies will have a shorter shelf life.

Steaming is an easy and simple way to help eliminate the risk of harmful bacteria, and cooking vegetables does not necessarily reduce the nutritional value. For some produce, cooking actually helps release nutrients.

Break Broccoli Beforehand

Produce that is likely to harbor dirt, bugs or harmful bacteria in crevices should be broken apart and washed piece by piece. Broccoli is a great example, as well as cauliflower and celery.

10 steps to Buying and Handling Raw Fruits and Vegetables

Beyond washing, there are several other important steps families should take when buying and handling raw fruits and vegetables. Share the checklist below with your family as a reminder of how to properly handle and prepare food.

Wash your hands thoroughly before handling produce.
Carefully select fruits and vegetables that are not bruised or damaged.
Place raw meat and seafood in a separate grocery bag and store them separately in the refrigerator.
Sanitize kitchen surfaces and appliances regularly; always before and after preparing food.
Keep your refrigerator clean.
Clean cutting boards and knives with hot, soapy water after each use.
Use different cutting boards and knives for meats and produce, or cut your veggies and fruit first.
Only buy precut fruits and vegetables that are refrigerated and labeled as washed and ready to eat.
CDC recommends refrigerating cooked or cut produce, including salads, within 2 hours. Produce exposed to temperatures of 90 degrees or hotter (for example at a picnic or in a hot vehicle) should be refrigerated within an hour.
Pay attention to any food recalls.

This article is adapted from our Families First Magazine. Interested in getting future issues of Families First delivered to your home? Subscribe here.