Keeping our fruits and vegetables clean and in good condition is key to being able to eat them without getting sick or intoxicated. That is recommended by health and food experts, who reiterate the importance of keeping vegetables and fruits clean before being consumed. With proper cleaning of them, we can eliminate accumulated bacteria and dirt. The importance of good food cleaning is not only for hygiene, but also for good food utilization.
We likely buy fruits and vegetables, and other food products in shopping malls. We have to consider that foodstuffs spend hours and days exposed until they end up in our trolleys and refrigerators. During all the exposure time, they are handled by other consumers, stained by bacteria in the environment, etc. Let’s learn more about the best ways to clean these fresh foods and the best ways to do it.
Keeping fruits and vegetables clean is essential.
So, once these foods arrive at our home, the first thing we must do is clean them and store them properly in the refrigerator. Although it may seem exaggerated, official data show that around 48 million Americans get food poisoning yearly. Hence the importance of maintaining proper cleaning and preservation of our food products.
Based on official data, it is estimated that of those 48 million, at least 130,000 end up in the hospital. In extreme cases, 3,000 even die. The most common foods that contribute to food poisoning are usually poorly cooked and poorly preserved meats. However, fruits and vegetables account for almost half of the poisoning cases.
Now that we have seen the serious consequences of not preserving our food in perfect condition, the most logical thing is to clean and keep our fruits and vegetables in the best possible way. The first step is to wash each fruit and vegetable purchased before storing it in the refrigerator. This step will only take a few minutes; with it, we will be able to keep away common bacteria that cause diarrhea, salmonellosis, or serious diseases.
How to clean fruits and vegetables
Fresh water is one of the most effective ways to clean our food. It will not be necessary to use special products, as these may do nothing but damage our fruits and vegetables. This way, we can soak the food in water, dry it, and put it in the refrigerator in a clean and disinfected drawer, correct to keep the food in the best possible condition.
If we are not in a hurry, we can leave the fruits and vegetables to soak in water for several minutes before preserving them. We can also proceed to their cleaning with the help of vinegar. Mixed with water, it is a much more powerful disinfectant.