Washing your produce seems like a straightforward task, but the Covid-19 pandemic has thrown this simple task into upheaval. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, many people are eager to wash their produce before putting it in the refrigerator. However, many health enthusiasts are concerned about the loss of nutrients through this type of washing. If you’re wondering about how and when to wash produce amid the Covid-19 outbreak, here are some tips to keep your family healthy and your fruits and veggies clean.
CDC recommendations on fruits and vegetable safety.
All of us at DLJ Produce follow strict safety protocols and guidelines. We continue to supply North America with much-needed produce. Our facility has received a 100% score in food safety. While providing you with fresh produce all year round we also aim to share information that you can apply in your daily lives.
Tips for Washing Produce During Covid-19
No evidence currently exists to support the idea that Covid-19 can be transmitted through produce or other food products.
Bodily fluids from a person suffering from coronavirus can live on the surfaces of foods and food packaging from several hours to several days. Although rare and has not been reported, to ease your worry about the threat of contamination in this fashion, you should always wash your produce when you return from the store.
In scenarios outside of Covid-19, you would normally wash your produce just before eating it to ensure it maintains water-soluble vitamins. But coronavirus requires you to wash fruits and vegetables immediately to avoid contamination in your kitchen or refrigerator.
Remember to wash your hands prior to washing your produce, and make sure to use cool water. Warm water encourages the growth of bacteria that can actually penetrate the skin or rind of the fruit. You can also use a soft brush and a water-baking soda mix to loosen any dirt and further decontaminate the produce.
Washing pre-packaged produce should follow the same washing protocol, but you should also wipe down the packaging with a disinfectant wipe, provide it doesn’t come in contact with the fruit or vegetables.
The Health Benefits of Produce
Fruits and vegetables provide numerous health benefits, including several nutrients that are key in boosting your immune system. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc all play vital roles in a healthy immune system.
To get a huge dose of vitamin A and zinc, turn to dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and chard. For vitamin C, turn to fruits such as citrus oranges, strawberries, mangoes, or watermelon. As an easy reminder, just think of eating the rainbow when you purchase fruits and veggies, and try to get as many different colored produce items as you can. (This is also a fun way to teach kids to eat healthy)
One important thing to remember is that frozen vegetables and fruits are almost always as nutritious as fresh ones. With the same nutritional value without the fear of Covid-19, you can curb your uneasiness and anxiety. In addition, you can create your own mixes of frozen vegetables and fruits for later use.
Since you already wash your vegetables and fruits before you eat them, washing produce when you get home from the supermarket should pose no extra effort or hindrance. Plus, the vitamins in produce should provide you with an extra boost to your immunity.
Hopefully, you won’t have to battle Covid-19, but a healthy immune system will give you the best possible defense against the virus. So wash your produce and consume as much as possible to keep you safe and healthy during these times of uncertainty and beyond.
We are here and committed to you. If you have a question and want to know more about the various produce we have available contact us to discuss.
