How many hands have handled those fruits and vegetables from the farm they’re grown until they reached the grocery stacks? If any of those people are sick or have touched something else unsanitary, and the greens are not thoroughly washed, chances are the germs will be transmitted to you. Also, the fruits’ surfaces may already be teeming with microbes from the farm soil, which may have even come in contact with animal feces through leaching.  

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria has caused the deadliest foodborne illnesses outbreak in almost 90 years among other harmful contaminants like salmonella, listeria, norovirus and E.coli. Also, a certain parasite called toxoplasma can be particularly dangerous to a pregnant woman and her baby. To keep your family safe, it is important for you to learn how to wash fruits and vegetables properly before cooking and consumption. Choose your produce carefully Bruises, molds, and cuts are usually a favorite hideout of bacteria, possibly spreading even to other parts of the fruit. So as much as possible, choose ones that are in good condition. Bacteria, too, is particularly abundant in produce such as sprout seeds. It enters the cracks of the seeds before the sprouts are grown and once there, it’s nearly impossible to remove them unless you use a potent organic wash. To reduce the risk, avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind, or make sure you cook them thoroughly. Wash the food thoroughly Soaking the produce in a basin of water won’t drive the bacteria away unless an organic fruit and vegetable wash that effectively kills bacteria is mixed in. Products like iGozen, for instance, have micro fine particles that reach beneath the surface where most of the pathogens are lurking. Plus, since it’s highly alkaline, it is able to eliminate not only organic pathogens but acid-based chemicals as well. For further safety, rinse the produce under running water for at least 15 seconds after soaking. Separate greens from raw meat Raw food such as meat, poultry, and fish should never come in contact with produce that do not undergo cooking, otherwise, you risk cross-contamination that can lead to food poisoning. Always use a separate cutting board and plates for each and make sure that produce are placed away from the meat not only during preparation but also in storage. Fruits and vegetables are an important component of a healthy meal. But just like all other products, extra care should be taken to prevent the likelihood of food poisoning. Source: Unwashed Fruits & Veggies Can Make You Sick!? HealthyEatingForFamilies.com Source: Do you know where that apple has been? Fruit Washing 101, Food Trainers