Too Lazy To Wash Your Produce? Study Says Not Doing So Is Dangerous

Farm-produced crops, like vegetables and fruits, are well known for the nutritional benefits for the human body.

Some people dive into vegetarian diets and lifestyle to maximize the health benefits that different produce offers.

According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, prevent some type of cancers, promote weight loss, lower eyes and digestive problems, and have a good effect on blood sugar.

That only means that farm-produced products, especially when organic, is essential for people to consume. Now the question we need to ponder on, how do you eat our produce? Do we need to wash them before consuming?

Yahoo! life mentioned a study from the University of Houston Conrad H. Hilton that demonstrates the need for consumers to wash their produce before eating them.

Study Discoveries

Published in the Journal of Food Protection, University of Houston researchers assessed current food safety gaps to identify key areas to focus on potential education and training materials for stakeholders.

MSN added that the researchers were able to find in their study that only few small produce growers have training about food safety. They also pointed out that small growers are not required to follow federal food safety guidelines, which are alarming.

Yahoo! life reported that 70 small farmers participated in the survey that assessed their knowledge in food safety protocols.

The results showed that 51 percent of respondents noted that their workers are using their bare hands in harvesting their produce, even though 39 percent do not provide handwashing facilities and 46 percent do not have bathrooms on the site.

The lead author of the study and post-doctoral fellow from the University of Houston tells News Medical Life Sciences that providing handwashing and portable toilet facilities must prioritize the growers because they play an essential role in preventing cross-contamination and reduction of foodborne illnesses risk.

News Medical Life Sciences also pointed out that more than 34 percent of growers use manure, and 51 percent have domestic animals on the farm, which offers the risk of contamination from pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.

Assistant Professor from Hilton College shares to News Medical Life Sciences that instead of dealing with a foodborne illness, their team tries to prevent it.

How to Wash Your Produce

After buying produce and given the study results, it is important to note that washing the goods is an essential step before eating them.

Food Safety says that cutting away any damaged or bruised areas in the fruits and vegetables then washing them in cold running water is one way of cleaning them. Scrubbing firm fruits and veggies like melons and cucumbers can also help in cleaning.

Another way to wash your produce is by scrubbing the outside of it with warm water, and a brush can remove any excess dirt, pesticides, pathogen residue that can be possible present on the skin.

Produce are healthy but washing them will not consume so much time to ensure your health and safety. Doing this as a habit may prevent you and your family from having an unexpected illness.