Originally published February 1 2006
USDA offers consumers tips on how to safely handle fresh produce
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In a fact sheet on safe food handling, the USDA recommends washing produce before eating it but stresses that soap and detergent should not be used to clean fruits and vegetables.
While there is a lot of talk about what's in our food -- from calories and fat to preservatives -- little is said about what's on it.
We know things like chicken and eggs need to be properly cleaned and cooked to ward off salmonella, but what about foods that don't hit the skillet, like raw fruits and vegetables?
Do we need to take special steps -- or buy the pre-made vegetable washes on the market -- to ensure that this stuff is properly sanitized?
USDA Recommendations According to the experts, the answer is yes -- and no. "Before eating or preparing, wash fresh produce under cold running tap water to remove any lingering dirt," recommends the USDA in their fact sheet on Safe Food Handling.
But, they stress, do "not wash fruits and vegetables with detergent or soap," or any other products that "are not approved or labeled by the Food and Drug Administration for use on foods," since there is the danger of ingesting these chemicals.
That includes dishwashing liquid or any kind of cleanser, including those labeled as soap-free.
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