Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Jessica Caporuscio, Pharm.D. on November 18, 2019
Although most people know that they must handle animal products appropriately to prevent illness, fruits and vegetables can also carry harmful germs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimate that around 48 million people every year get sick from eating contaminated food. In recent years, outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have occurred due to bacteria on cantaloupe, lettuce, tomatoes, and spinach. People who eat contaminated produce can get sick and even require hospitalization. In this article, we look at why it is important to wash fruits and vegetables, including pesticides and possible contamination. Share on PinterestWashing fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of illness from food contamination. People should thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating them. Produce that the manufacturer has prewashed does not require further rinsing, however. There are two main risks of eating unwashed fruits and vegetables: bacterial contamination and pesticides. In recent years, many outbreaks of foodborne illness have come from contaminated cantaloupe, spinach, tomatoes, and lettuce. In 2016, for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated an outbreak of listeriosis that hospitalized 19 people. One person died from the infection. More recently, in January 2019, the CDC, FDA, and health officials in several states and Canada investigated an outbreak of Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections from contaminated romaine lettuce. This outbreak affected 62 people across 16 states, but there were no deaths. Although pesticides can help farmers grow more food, they also have many health risks. It can be challenging to avoid pesticides, however, as many nontargeted crops have exposure to these chemicals. According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization, almost 70% of fruits and vegetables in the United States have pesticide residue, even after washing. Produce can become infected with harmful bacteria at different stages. During the growing phase, contamination can occur through:
Fruits and vegetables can also become contaminated after harvesting. Even in our homes, produce can become contaminated as a result of improper storage and during food preparation. Sometimes, fresh produce contains harmful germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria. These bacteria can make people very sick. Some people are more vulnerable to getting a foodborne illness than others. People who may be more at risk of food poisoning from produce include:
Symptoms of foodborne illness can include: Severe Listeria infections may also cause:
Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of the human diet. They are nutrient dense, low in calories, and high in fiber. It is vital to keep eating produce, but people must take the necessary steps to ensure that it is safe. Before eating any produce, the FDA recommend:
People should store fresh, perishable produce in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C). It is not necessary to wash produce labeled as prewashed. It is also unnecessary to wash produce with soap or other cleaning products. Other recommendations include:
Every year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publish a report of their findings of pesticide residues in foods. Most produce still contains pesticide residue even after washing. The investigators state that over 99% of the products they sampled had residues below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits. In the 2017 annual summary of the Pesticide Data Program, the USDA reported which produce contained pesticide levels that exceeded EPA tolerances. These included:
In addition to these fruits and vegetables, the USDA found samples of produce with residues that did not have a tolerance in the Code of Federal Regulations. The USDA consider that these samples violated pesticide tolerances. These fruits and vegetables include: People who want to avoid pesticides can buy certified organic products. The USDA organic regulations are strict rules that farmers must follow. According to the USDA regulations, organic farmers can use certain pesticides as a last resort for pest control. For example, naturally occurring microorganisms, plant-based insecticides, and some approved synthetic substances are allowed. People should wash their fruits and vegetables under running water to prevent consuming contaminated produce. Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella can be present on produce. In recent years, people have developed foodborne illnesses from fruits and vegetables. Cooking produce before consumption is the safest way to eat fruits and vegetables, but people should still wash them beforehand. Many farmers use pesticides on their produce. If people want to avoid consuming pesticides, they can choose organic produce or avoid produce that contains higher levels of pesticides, such as kale, cranberries, and asparagus. Last medically reviewed on November 18, 2019 When it comes to eating vegetables, sexy names make a difference When kids aren’t into their vegetables, is it really their fault? You just picked an apple right out of a tree. Or maybe you bought a pack of strawberries from the grocery store. Many of us were taught to always rinse that fruit before we eat it. But does that actually do anything? Are we really cleaning it by simply running it under water for a handful of seconds? Experts say the answer to both of those questions is yes, and it could help prevent you from eating contaminated food. Store-bought fruits and vegetables generally go through a long journey from plant to kitchen, with many opportunities to pick up dirt and germs along the way. They can collect bacteria anywhere from the growing process to being picked up and put down by a shopper at the grocery store. More exercise, fewer calories?: Weight loss is more complicated than that In the worst of cases, produce can sometimes contain harmful germs like salmonella, E. coli and listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Leafy greens like lettuce, cabbage and kale can also carry norovirus and Cyclospora. And it's not just dirt and bacteria that can collect on fruit. If you've eaten strawberries before, there's a chance you ate them with a (miniscule) side of bugs. A TikTok trend from 2020 taught many people that strawberries are home to a small fly called the spotted wing drosophila, which emerge from the berry when exposed to saltwater. As unsettling as it may be to watch tiny insects swim out of a fruit you adore, there's no need to be concerned about them, experts say. No studies have found the insects to be harmful to humans. Still, the little critters can serve as a reminder that you might not always be able to see what's on your produce before you eat it. When it comes to raw fruits and vegetables in general, there will likely always be some level of microorganisms that make it through the rinsing process, experts say. "You won't be able to eliminate all of them," said Dr. Francisco Diez, director of the Center for Food Safety and a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia. "In some instances, the microorganisms may be very attached to the surface of the vegetable or the fruit, or even sometimes embedded into some of the structures," he told USA TODAY. A 2017 peer-reviewed study found that rinsing does not significantly reduce the levels of E. coli in lettuce, for instance. But that doesn't mean we can't take steps to mitigate the risk of other contamination. Rinsing and rubbing fruits and vegetables can reduce about 90% of the microbial load found on the surfaces, Diez said, which can reduce your chances of getting sick. And while some produce might already be washed by the packing house by the time you buy it, it's still highly recommended that you give them a rinse yourself too, Diez said. Previously: A hot dog shaves 36 minutes off life, study says. Nathan's champion Joey Chestnut isn't worried. No need to add use anything other than water, either. Health officials agree to stay away from any other types of cleaning products when preparing fruits and vegetables. The sink isn't your only solution for clean produce, either. “Cooking is your best ally," Diez said. "Cooking will kill all potential pathogens that could come on vegetables." Obviously, not all fruits and vegetables are tasty options to cook up, but it can be a helpful added step for foods like carrots, broccoli and others. All this considered, it's important to note that the vast majority of produce is safe for consumption, Diez says. And it's important that you do so, too. Fruits and vegetables have well-documented health benefits, like reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and possibly lowering your blood pressure levels. So, while experts stress the importance of cleaning your produce, it's essential to make sure you're eating enough of it as well. Contributing: Joshua Bote, USA TODAY Follow Jay Cannon of USA TODAY on Twitter: @JayTCannon Breast cancer patients say 'cold capping' saved their hair: What is it and why aren't more people doing it? Vaccine boosters: 'Mix and Match' COVID-19 study finds Pfizer or Moderna boosters may be best for J&J vaccine |