# how to wash fruit

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-wash-fruit/136914>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 15, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-wash-fruit/136914 "2002-11-15T20:08:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-wash-fruit/136914/1 "2002-11-15T20:08:44Z")

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They always say to be sure to wash fruit before you eat it. But what exactly does that mean? Use soap? Rinse under the tap? Rub with a paper towel?

And what about something like broccoli that you can’t really scrub?

Am I just being paranoid?

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2002, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-wash-fruit/136914/2 "2002-11-15T20:39:00Z")

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The FDA, EPA and USDA recommend the following:

> [@](#):
>
> The most effective method is [washing] fruit separately under cold running water and, when appropriate, scrubbing with a brush. Washing well with water has been shown to reduce the number of microorganisms on vegetables and fruit by 10 to 100 times and is also effective for removing pesticide residues.
> 
> Discard outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage. Break apart leafy produce and wash each piece individually.
> 
> Scrub the outside of melons with water before cutting through the rind. Rinse thoroughly.
> 
> Rub whole items such as apples or tomatoes by hand with a paper towel after washing them.
> 
> Carrots, potatoes and other root crops should be scrubbed with a vegetable brush.
> 
> Break apart vegetables that have tight heads, such as broccoli or  
> cauliflower, before washing.
> 
> Cut vegetables and fruit on a clean board or surface – not one that was just used for raw meat. Be sure to use a clean knife.