Fresh Produce

[Lisa]

Let me tell you why I ask.

At the grocery store I bought some fresh broccoli (one bunch and one single). The cost was different between the two. The clerk weighted the bunch in the bag, without the single floret as she held it in her hand. She then put the single directly onto the scanner (no bag).....I thought eeeewwwwwww!!!!

Can you imagine all the cooties on that scanner. And how about all the handling that fresh produce passes through before we cook it.

So, hence, my question. Does anyone use a main line produce wash?

I do not recall this question coming before the forum before.

Any thoughts?

Lisa

[Michi8]

No I don't. I don't know that it's any more effective than giving produce a thorough rinse with running tap water (and I'm hesitant to add any other potential chemicals to my produce.) An awful lot of hands have touched that produce before it touched the scanner...and before it makes it to your table. Heck, that produce may have grown in a field that's been contaminated with any number of things to boot.

I'll bet Consumer Reports has tested these produce washes...may be worth looking into what they say.

Michelle

Edit: Here is a website that gives tips for washing veggies...and ways of creating your own "produce wash:" Open Original Shared Link

[Jestgar]

I found an interesting site:

Open Original Shared Link

[Michi8]

I found an interesting site:

Open Original Shared Link

LOL! You must have posted just as I was adding my edit with that link!

Michelle

[jerseyangel]

Lisa,

No, I've never used a veggie wash. I always just rinse produce off very well under running water. If I need to dry something, I use paper towels.

[Jestgar]

LOL! You must have posted just as I was adding my edit with that link!

Michelle

Brilliant minds....

[Lisa]

Gosh, baking soda, I can handle, Palmolive soap.........don't think so.

Interesting site, thanks for both of you for posting.

[Corkdarrr]

Growing up I remember my mom always used to add a small amount of bleach to a sink full of water. She'd let the produce soak for a while and then rinse and soak under cold running water for a good amount of time.

Don't know how "safe" it is, but that's what I grew up on!

Courtney

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I wash grapes, etc. in a huge bowl of water with 1 drop of dish detergent. Then I rinse them really, REALLY well/

If you look at the ingredients of the produce wash, all it says is, "surfactant." That's just detergent.

[happygirl]

lisa,

my mom and grandma have used baking powder for years...and passed it onto me!

xoxo

[Looking for answers]

I do! I get veggie wash from Trader Joes, a local health-food chain. It's made of natural ingredients and uses the power of citrus acid to sterilize produce. I love it! All you have to do is soak your produce in the solution for a few minutes and viola!, your food is ready to go. I especially love that it takes the wax residue off of non-organic fruits and veggies.

[lindalee]

Lisa,

I use white vinegar. That is what I found out the juicer I bought recomends.

I have also used a drop of liquid soap and rinse really well.

Don't let them sit in the water long though- it depletes the nutrients.

My usual method is clean sink really well and then fill with water and add about 1/4 cup of white vinegar-stir around and I just drain it on my stainless steel drainer.

[debmidge]

I use white vinegar, but also have used bleach if the veggie has a tough outside.