Washing fruits and vegetables is a common practice, but doing it incorrectly can have unwanted effects. In a recent video broadcast on Instagram, the food engineer shows Mariana Zapien explained that these products They should not come into contact with detergentbecause they can retain residue that is only intended for cleaning supplies.
Institutions such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of California food safety programs support this position and recommend avoiding the use of household detergents on fresh foods.
Uneven or porous surfaces of fruits and vegetables can absorb small amounts of cleaning agent even after rinsing. These remains include fragrances, dyes, and compounds that were not intended for ingestion. According to Zapién, Accidental ingestion of these substances may result in irritation, taste changes, gastrointestinal distress, or the introduction of ingredients that do not meet food safety standards.. The FDA notes that these products have not been evaluated or approved for direct use in food.
Both the FDA and several university safety programs recommend specific procedures to ensure proper sanitation of fresh produce. Fruits and vegetables with a firm or rough texture should be washed under running water, scrubbing with your hand or a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and attached microorganisms.
For green leaves, foods eaten raw or sensitive pieces, we recommend rinsing them with drinking water and then applying a food-safe disinfectant. Available options include chlorinated solutions in acceptable concentrations, colloidal silver, ozone, or products based on citrus seed extracts. After washing, it is recommended to drain the food or dry it with clean kitchen paper.
This procedure allows for effective cleaning without the use of detergent, which remains only suitable for “Only for dishes, not for food”as the specialist emphasized.
By Maria Camila Salas Valencia
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