Although we strive to eat organic foods that are certified and responsibly farmed, almost no food is 100% free of pesticides. Even organic foods can have some pesticide residue, albeit light in comparison to conventional produce. A trace of pesticide can be windborne from a neighboring conventional farm.
Washing produce is important to reduce your exposure to pesticides and any potential foodborne illness. But, what is the best way to wash the produce we get in our weekly or semi-weekly bins? So, here’s some useful information about preparing your foods.
What Wash is Most Effective
Most folks wash their produce by rinsing it under cold, running water. Scientists at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station found that washing produce with running water reduced the amount of pesticide residue for 9 of the 12 tested pesticides (SOURCE: Food Revolution Network, www.foodrevolution.org).
So, running water can work, but what about using products called
I use the baking soda option. Works great. No worries if you injest it.