According to the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA doesn’t recommend any soap or liquid detergent to wash the commercial fruit and vegetables. All should be thoroughly washed under running water, whether it’s grown conventionally or organically.
University of Maine’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition backed up this claim by testing three store-bought produce rinses and washes against regular tap water and distilled water. Finally the study reveals that distilled water was the most effective way to remove pesticides and microbes. Since the distilled water is filtered and purified to remove any contaminants. The researchers also believed that very clean cold tap water can be used instead.
Best way to clean fruits and vegetables
Wash your fruits and vegetables even if you are peeling them. For ex: Slicing an unwashed cantaloupe can transfer bacteria from the outside of the melon onto the cut fruit. Thick skinned fruits or vegetable that grows underground, like beets and carrots need an extra scrub to remove excess dirt. The University of Maine suggest soaking fruits and veggies produce with a lot of nooks and crannies for one to two minutes in clean, cold water before eating.
Experts recommend once your fruits and vegetables are clean, drying them with dish towel or paper towel is another step. Also wash utensils with hot, soapy water after cutting and peeling produce. The FDA also advises a solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.