Why should we wash fruits and vegetables before eating?

The year 2020 and a pandemic was needed to teach us the importance of washing our hands. Its time to learn the importance of washing what we eat.

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Dieticians recommend at least five daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables to have a protective barrier against cancers and cardiovascular diseases (WHO, 2018). But, unfortunately, the fresh produce is exposed to a number of food safety issues due to bacterial pathogens and pesticide residues.

Bacterial Pathogens:

In the EU, 10% of the verified foodborne outbreaks in 2010 were linked to the consumption of vegetables, fruits, berries (EFSA/ECDC, 2012). The diseases can be linked to the presence of microbial hazards like Salmonella, E-coli, Listeria (EFSA/ECDC, 2012). The 2011 outbreak of E-coli in the UK, was due to the presence of E-coli on the soils on potatoes.

Thorough washing of fruits and vegetables prior to consumption is recommended with Safeguard Fruits and Veggie Wash or any other organic (natural) wash to remove bacterias. Click to order by WhatsApp (Participate in the quiz to win a year-long discount).

Pesticide Residue:

The increasing consumer demand for fruits and vegetables has led to farmers applying harmful pesticides to protect crops and increase yield. Some fruits and vegetable samples detected exceedingly dangerous pesticide levels above the Maximum Residue Limits. WHO (2016) calls for urgent attention to the pesticide monitoring in food as pesticide exposure is reported as the cause of 19% of cancers in the world.

In 2017, UAE banned import of fruits and vegetables from a number of countries as the produce contained pesticide residue in excess of the permissible limits (Gulf News, 2017). Apples, oranges, watermelons, grapes, apricots, potatoes, cucumbers, peaches, strawberries, guavas, watermelons, tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, peppers, carrots, lettuce, and egg-plants or brinjals were found to be most exposed to pesticides in the Middle East region (Philippe, 2020).

Environmental Working Group (EWG) a non-profit organization in the US releases an annual list of ‘Dirty Dozen‘ and ‘Clean Fifteen‘ enlisting the fruits and vegetables that not safe and safe to eat respectively.

Safeguard Fruits and Veggie Wash helps in the removal of the pesticide residues that water alone is unable to remove because the pesticides form a waterproof layer on fruits and vegetables. Click to order by WhatsApp (Participate in the quiz to win a year-long discount).

Lab Test Results of Safeguard Wash (NATA Accredited):

Microbial Reduction in English Spinach (click here)

Microbial Reduction in Lettuce and Grapes (click here)

Wax Reduction in Apples and Lemons (click here)

Watch the following video to understand how Safeguard Fruit and Veggie Wash enhances the hygiene of the fruits and vegetables we eat.