How to Wash Fruit, Veggies to Safeguard Them from Virus

If you’re not already washing your fresh fruit and vegetables before consumption, you have got a problem. Two health experts, Andrea du Plessis and Siyabonga Mngoma warn that after 106 days of South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown, this should be standard practice during the pandemic.

Experts warn that fresh produce simply is not fit for consumption right after you buy them.

It should be washed properly to make them germ-free, says Andrea du Plessis, a well-known dietician and television presenter.

“Washing hands is definitely a big step in the right direction, but you also need to wash the foods. Some people, who are very strict and compliant with hygiene guidelines would wash the packaging of the foods or wipe it properly. If you think about it, it’s with a person’s hands that those items were packed on a shelf. But where it’s even more important is with fresh fruits that will be eaten as a whole, like an apple or a pear, or salad ingredients like tomatoes.”

While there is currently no evidence to prove that the coronavirus can spread through food items, the World Health Organisation has recommended that fruit and vegetables be washed thoroughly with clean water, especially if you will be eating it raw.

Also, Unicef warns that it may be possible that people can become infected by COVID-19 by touching a surface or object contaminated by the virus and then touching their face. The higher risk, though, comes from being in close contact with other people while food shopping or receiving food delivery.

As always, good hygiene is, however, important when handling food to prevent any food-borne illnesses, adds Mngoma, the founder of Abundance Wholesome Foods. She says, “Be sure to wash your foods before cooking. Keep your surfaces clean in the kitchen, as well as the rest of the house.”

How Should I Clean Fruits And Vegetables?

Answering the much asked question, how should one wash fruits and vegetables in the time of COVID-19, WHO stated,

Wash them the same way you would in any other circumstance. Before handling them, wash your hands with soap and water. Then, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water, especially if you eat them raw.

Coronavirus Prevention How To Wash Fruits, Vegetables And Other Perishables To Safeguard Them From Virus
World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested two easy ways to wash fruits and vegetables

Even if one is not eating fruits and vegetables raw, it should be washed before peeling. Giving out the reason for the same, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says,

Rinse produce before you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable.

Explaining how to wash fruits and vegetables in order to keep it safe and free of germs, FSSAI suggests washing the fresh produce in clean and lukewarm water. While holding produce underwater, one can gently rub the vegetables and fruits. FSSAI has clearly said no to using sanitizer, bleach, chemical, dish wash soap, and any other kind of disinfectant to clean food.

Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers. Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present. Also, remove the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage, says FDA.

However, if we look at the Indian food basket, not all vegetables can be washed; there are a lot of exceptions like onions, potatoes, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables. Talking about the same, Dr. Anupa Siddhu, Director of Lady Irwin College and a nutritionist said,

Onion and potatoes are anyway not stored in fridge. So, before cooking, peel, wash and soak them in water for 20 minutes.

According to experts, there is no single method that can be applied to all perishables. There are multiple ways that can be used, depending on the type of vegetable, fruit, and other edible items. For preserving greens, Dr. Shweta Khandelwal, Head, Nutrition Research and Additional Professor at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) suggests,

Wrap green veggies in a paper while refrigerating. The paper absorbs excess moisture, which keeps the vegetables from wilting and/or spoiling.

Should I Isolate Fruits And Vegetables For Few Hours?

According to experts, not all vegetables and fruits can be kept out or under direct sunlight for long hours. Therefore, the simplest way is to wash them thoroughly and let it dry naturally. Elaborating on the same, Dr Anupa said,

The idea is to not let the vegetables and fruits touch too many surfaces. Earlier whenever we used to bring home fresh produce, we would keep them either on the kitchen counter or some table and later shift to fridge. But now since hygiene is the key, I would suggest, wash whichever vegetables and fruits can be washed and let them dry before storing in the fridge. Don’t touch them too many times or use any kind of wipes.

How Should I Disinfect Other Perishable Items?

Considering the rising temperature, perishables like milk, cheese, butter cannot be kept out for long as they might go bad. In order to ensure they are not infected, simply discard the outer packaging and store the food in another container. For instance, each cheese slice is packed in plastic packaging and together they are packed in a bigger packet. The outer, bigger packaging can be removed. While handling it, remember to sanitize your hands.

In the case of milk, it’s important to soak the packet in a bowl of water, wash it thoroughly and boil the milk immediately. As far as other packed items like aerated drinks are concerned, you can isolate them for few hours and can even wash them with soapy water because they are packed and sealed so there is no way soap will enter the can or bottle. Wash it with soap or spray a disinfectant, isolate it for few hours and then refrigerate, said Dr Anupa.

Keys To Safer Food

WHO has shared five keys to safer food and they are as follows:

  1. Keep food clean to prevent contamination. Wash your hands with soap before touching food.
  2. Separate raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination between two kinds of food.
  3. Cook thoroughly to kill microorganisms.
  4. Keep food at safe temperature to prevent bacteria growth.
  5. Use safe water and safe raw materials to avoid contamination.

Similarly, FSSAI has shared 7 food safety tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that are – wash raw fruits and vegetables with clean, portable water; cook meat well; stay hydrated; avoid sharing food utensils, water bottles or cups; clean surfaces such as tables with antibacterial bleach wipes; use different chopping boards and knives for raw meat and cooked foods; eat foods rich in Vitamin C to boost your immune system.

In general microorganisms can be destroyed or substantially reduced by heating techniques used in cooking. However, so far coronavirus has not exhibited resistance to heat and adequate cooking. It should be noted that in general, viruses resist freezing and can be found in food frozen for up to two years even at temperatures as low as at -20 degree Celsius, said Dr Shweta Khandelwal.