Produce is not protected from bugs
Even though produce is transported and stored in containers, that doesn’t mean they’re protected from insects. That’s why it’s always important to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
“Rodents will crawl on them, and bugs like spiders, frogs, flies, etc. So, don’t trust that it’s clean. Always wash the produce you buy,” Nash says.
Organic produce is not pesticide-free
If you opt for organic produce just because you live under the impression it was grown without pesticides, you couldn’t be more wrong, Brianne Bell, RD, creator of Frugal Minimalist Kitchen says.
“As a dietitian, one thing my clients are shocked to learn is that organic produce is grown with pesticides, too. They often mistakenly think that organic equals pesticide free, but in reality, it just means pesticides deemed ‘organic’ are used,” Bell adds.
Additionally, Chris Mathews, produce manager and founder of The Great Fruit Hunt blog still urges people to wash produce even though it is labeled as organic.
“Consumers think it’s okay to eat organic produce without washing. With organic farming there can actually be an increase in food safety concerns because of the close contact with natural fertilizers, such as animal manures and the use of organic pesticides,” Mathews adds.
Don’t assume that produce was washed before being put on the shelves
No, your fruits and veggies haven’t been washed before hitting the shelves, so the produce you put in your shopping cart is the same produce that was stored previously in containers, without any additional cleaning, Mathews explains.
“One thing that would surprise a lot of people is that there is not a lot of checks and balances for certain foods before they arrive,” he says. “Some literally come straight from the field to the grocery store floor. For example, there isn’t any sort of cleaning, sanitation, or processing of most berries before they hit a grocery case.”
