I ran across an article in the Rachel Ray magazine last year, and thought I would share some of the information. I was doing things incorrectly!!
Step away from the sink! You may be washing food you shouldn't, and not washing what you should!
Do I have to Wash.....CANTALOUPE? Absolutely! Bugs love to snuggle in the crevices of cantaloupe's netted skin, and then they hitch a ride on your knife as you slice into the flesh. Scrub the whole melon with a vegetable brush under running water. The same goes for other produce with lots of nooks and crannies, such as avocados, pineapple and kiwi.
Do I have to Wash.....Chicken? No way! The USDA warns against it because the bacteria in the meat and its juices can so easily spread to other foods, utensils and surfaces in your kitchen.
Do I have to Wash....PreWashed Lettuce? Lose the guilt--the answer is no! Rinsing the stuff at home increases cross-contamination opportunities, because your kitchen can't possibly be as clean and controlled as the plant where the lettuce was washed.
Do I have to Wash...Organic Food? For sure! Organic produce is grown with fewer pesticides, but it's just as likely to carry invisible microorganisms that cause food poisoning.
Do I have to Wash....Potatoes? You sure do! Think about all the dirt you get on your hands just holding it!
Do I have to Wash....Canned Beans? They're better for you when you do! Most canned beans are really high in sodium. Purge nearly 40% of it when you put the beans in a strainer and run them under cold water.
Do I need to Wash....Thyme, Oregano, and Rosemary? Yes! You know to wash big-leaf herbs like parsley and basil because you can see the dirt. But, with all herbs and produce, the most important reason to wash is to get rid of microscopic pathogens.
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