Rinse Right

December 2, 2025 | Cooking Matters

By Amelia Dunnigan

Fruits and vegetables are essential components of a healthy diet due to their high vitamin, mineral, and fiber content, which contribute to overall health and wellness. Not only are they delicious and nutritious, but they also make great snacks or additions to any meal. However, before enjoying the fresh produce, it is important to properly rinse it to ensure that it is clean and safe to eat.

Luckily, washing fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be a long or complicated task. In fact, according to the FDA and USDA, using cold running water is the most effective method to clean produce. As produce moves from farm to table, it will naturally acquire contaminants; taking a moment to wash these off plays an important part in food safety.

So, what exactly are you removing by rinsing produce? The term “contaminant” can be used to describe any item that shouldn’t be consumed. Common contaminants include:

Dirt, dust, and small insects that may accumulate on produce during harvest, transportation, while in the store, or in your home

Bacteria, germs, and other microbes that may be harbored on the outside of produce and are invisible to the human eye

Residual pesticides or chemicals used in agriculture as a public health effort to achieve the following: reduce transmission of diseases carried by insects or rodents, repel bugs from eating the crop, and prevent the unwanted growth of weeds, fungus, and mold

While both the amount of pesticides used during farming and the residuals left on crops are monitored and regulated to ensure safety, taking a few moments to rinse the produce will help avoid frequent consumption.

So, now that it is understood why it is important to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, here are some guidelines to ensure that you Rinse Right:

Wash your hands with warm running water for a minimum of 20 seconds before and after rinsing the produce

Gently rub the surface of the produce with your hands under cold running water instead of soaking it. The combination of movement from the water and your hands is more effective in removing contaminants compared to letting the produce sit in stagnant water

Avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach, soap, or other cleaning products. These items are not more effective than water in removing unwanted particles

Tip: For waxy fruits, vegetables, or produce with many crevices (such as berries), use a mixture of vinegar or baking soda in water to soak produce before rinsing. This will help break down any wax present on the surface or hidden in hard-to-reach places. Follow this by rinsing with cold running water

For produce that contains an inedible peel or rind, such as melons and avocados, use a sponge or brush to scrub the outer portion more vigorously under cold running water before slicing or peeling. The knife may drag contaminants through the fruit and contaminate the inside