We've all taken a bite out of that shiny apple, thinking it was probably clean enough without washing. However, there are a few reasons why you should think twice before chomping down on some unwashed produce. Here are three reasons why you should wash your produce before eating it:
1. Pesticides
Eating certain fruits and vegetables can expose you to up to 14 different pesticides per day on average. Prolonged exposure to pesticides can lead to chronic health problems, and children are especially susceptible. Limiting your family's exposure by washing your produce thoroughly can reduce the risk of damaging your health.
2. Food Borne Illnesses
There are all kinds of food borne illnesses that we can protract from our food. It doesn't just have to be raw chicken to house bacteria. You should always be cautious before putting food in your mouth. With salmonella, staphyloccocus aureus, and E. coli out there to take our bodies by storm, it's important to practice proper food hygiene.
3. Dirt!
It may go without saying, but our produce is dirty! Have you ever opened up a head of lettuce to find dirt, gravel, and even dead bugs inbetween the leaves? A lot of our produce comes from the ground, and the ground is dirty. This means that the fruits and vegetables that we eat that come with a layer of dust, mud, or whatever else they were pulled up with (including insects). If you have a problem with eating dirt and bugs, it is probably a good idea to wash your produce.
The Proper Way to Wash Your Produce (from FDA.gov):
"Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home, or purchased from a grocery store or farmer's market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present."
Sources:
http://www.livhealthy.tv/articles.php?action=view&articleID=Why_You_Should_Wash_Your_Fruits_and_Vegetables
http://s.doctoroz.com/styles/720x480/s3/sites/default/files/media/image_thumb/tomato-wash-sink-720.jpg?itok=dcTCiA9v
http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/pesticides
http://www.growswitch.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/pesticides.jpg
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cm/goodhousekeeping/images/removing-skin-from-raw-chicken-1-ghv-325-62348184.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Th4bzANfSFk/TjQlJZ0vt7I/AAAAAAAAADg/lpNf81QUicU/s1600/dirty+potatoes.jpg
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