Nov 05 2008
How to Clean Fruits and Vegetables the Safe Way
Food scientists tell us that contaminated produce is the leading cause of food poisoning in the US. How can you be sure that the fresh produce that looks so good will be safe to serve your family?
There is a very “green” answer. It’s downright cheap, too!
Keep two spray bottles handy in your kitchen. One you need to fill with vinegar and the other with hydrogen peroxide. I use cider vinegar, 5% dilution . . . it tells you the % on the label. The hydrogen peroxide is the same stuff you get at a pharmacy or discount place.
To sanitize your produce, first spray it with the vinegar, then with the hydrogen peroxide. Then rinse it in running water. That’s all there is to it! This works to sanitize cutting boards and counters, too. Just spritz surfaces with the two sprayers, then rinse by wiping with a clean wet cloth.
Make it a habit to do this with all the produce you bring into your house before you put it in the refrigerator. If you have kids or husbands who snack or cook, everything will already be sanitized when they reach for it.
