# Washing fruits and veggies....

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-fruits-and-veggies/5478>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 22, 1999, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-fruits-and-veggies/5478 "1999-12-22T01:56:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-fruits-and-veggies/5478/1 "1999-12-22T01:56:00Z")

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I see in the produce section of the store a sign stating that “This product contains Blah Blah” to enhance the appearance (whatever) or prolong shelf life, etc…" We’ve all seen and ignored the statement.But every time I see it, a mental tumbleweed rolls through the empty desert I call my brain.

My question is this, If I never washed the produce that I buy (I’m not admitting anything.) am I harming myself? If yes, how much would I have to consume before of the waxy stuff?

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**Author:** ![jane\_says](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jane\_says](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jane_says)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-fruits-and-veggies/5478/2 "1999-12-22T02:14:00Z")

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I don’t know about dangerous pesticides or plant food sprays, but I think that greasy feeling, waxy varnish they put on cucumbers, etc. is disgusting. I have also read thst fecal matter and the like sometimes contaminates fresh produce.  
It’s really hard to wash off and if you peel the vegetable, you lose a lot of the nutitional punch.

Even though I know I should, I don’t always wash apples or other fruits before I eat them. When I give them to the kids I do. I have known people who even washed the outsides of fruit with inedible skins, like cantaloupe or bananas.

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**Author:** ![jane\_says](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jane\_says](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jane_says)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 1999, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washing-fruits-and-veggies/5478/3 "1999-12-22T02:16:00Z")

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Ick. I meant that the waxy varnish is hard to removenot the fecal mat…  
Shit. Nevermind.