Agri Leader

Keeping your produce clean, safe

TBO.com
Published: September 19, 2012

Pop quiz: Think about the last fruit or veggie you ate. How long did you wash it before you ate it? Do you believe what you did got it clean enough? Are you sure?

If you're like me, you may think you're doing a sufficient job cleaning your produce. Maybe you run some water over your greens for a second or two before you put them in your salad. If you're eating an apple on the go, perhaps you wipe it clean with your shirt. And your orange — that doesn't need cleaning, right? After all, it's covered by a peel.

Turns out, most of us are not cleaning our produce thoroughly enough, said Chester Bullock, manager of the Myakka City-based hydroponic farm Hydro-Taste. Bullock points out that properly washing produce will help rid it of dirt, pesticides, insects and food-borne bacteria we don't see — or much like to think about — that's on our produce. That includes items that come with natural "coverings," such as oranges and watermelons, he said.

Before you run out to buy all organic items, Bullock and other sources I reviewed online said organic produce still needs a thorough cleaning as well.

I also learned that special sprays to clean produce items are OK to use but that water generally works just as effectively.

Bullock feels so passionate about the issue of properly cleaning your produce that his pick-your-own farm and store has offered classes on the topic, led by his wife.

Bullock's passion for produce cleanliness led me to explore guidelines on how to properly clean some popular Central Florida-grown produce items. For all of these items as well as other produce, experts recommend thorough hand washing, proper storage, keeping your produce separate from meat and seafood, and sanitizing your food preparation area.

Here's to your good, clean eating.