Ways to Wash Pesticides Off Grocery Produce

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet but often contain pesticide residue. Pesticides protect crops from pests, weeds, and diseases in conventional agriculture for traditional harvests, but the chemicals can linger on produce at grocery stores. Most grocers don’t wash fruits and veggies before they’re shelved, so knowing ways to wash pesticides off grocery produce is essential for maintaining a healthy, safe lifestyle.

Organic produce can reduce pesticide exposure because organic farming practices are designed to encourage eco-friendly balances without harmful chemicals. This means organic fruits and veggies have lower pesticide residues. However, organic produce is more expensive, sometimes causing a strain on stricter shopping budgets.

There are simple, practical methods for removing pesticides from produce, enabling you to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies with greater peace of mind. Read on for steps to minimize exposure to harmful pesticides on produce from the grocery store.

Why Washing Your Produce Matters: The Hidden Dangers of Pesticide Residue

Pesticides are chemicals combined to eliminate pests and diseases from crops, but these compounds weren’t meant to be consumed. Short-term pesticide exposure can result in skin and eye irritation, trouble breathing, or other respiratory issues. However, long-term exposure can build over time, resulting in hormonal disruptions, neurological disorders, some cancers, and reproductive or developmental problems.

Agricultural workers are at risk of severe health risks from chronic, long-term exposure, but everyday consumers are at risk of accumulated health risks from consumption over several years. While the Environmental Protection Agency has set regulations on pesticide residues for fresh fruits and vegetables, washing your produce is an extra precaution to ensure safer consumption and a healthier you.

The Effectiveness of a Simple Water Rinse

Most people rinse with water—nothing else—to remove pesticide residue. However, studies have shown the rinsing method is only 75 to 80 percent effective. Some pesticides are tougher to remove, especially if they are behind protective waxy coatings (preservatives) on produce like apples.

While a simple water rinse is an excellent first step, you can use a saltwater soak to remove more pesticide residue than simple water. Use one teaspoon for every cup of water, soaking produce for 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll see the particles of pesticides and grime come away from the fruit and veggies. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove excess salt.

The Power of Baking Soda

For produce with thicker skins or waxy coatings, like cucumbers, zucchini, potatoes, mangoes, and apples, baking soda is a mild abrasive that dislodges pesticide residue. Soak fruits and veggies for 15 minutes using one teaspoon baking soda for every two cups of water. Rinse with warm water to remove excess baking soda.

Baking soda breaks down acidic pesticides, neutralizing compounds and making them easier to rinse away. It’s a simple, cost-effective method for ensuring cleaner, safer produce.

Vinegar or the Peeling and Trimming Methods

Vinegar is an acidic liquid capable of breaking down and dissolving pesticide residues without damaging thicker-skinned fruits and vegetables and smoother-skinned produce like grapes and tomatoes. Mix one cup white vinegar with three cups water, then soak the produce for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove excess vinegar. You should be able to see floating pesticide particles in the water after the soak.

Pesticides are often spritzed across the surface of fruits and vegetables while they grow, so it makes sense that removing the outer layer will reduce pesticide residue. Peeling apples, cucumbers, and potatoes will reduce exposure, and you can trim the outer leaves of leafy vegetables, like romaine lettuce and kale, to remove residue.

Side note: Most fresh fruits and vegetables have nutrient-rich exteriors, so peeling and trimming may reduce their nutritional value and dietary fiber.

How to Store Cleaned Produce to Maintain Freshness

• After washing your fruits and vegetables, dry them thoroughly, wicking away excess moisture to reduce the risk of spoilage and mold. Never wipe the produce. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, then store it in airtight containers or reusable produce bags.

• Refrigerate produce in the crisper drawer, keeping ethylene-producing fruits (like bananas and apples) separate from ethylene-sensitive vegetables (like leafy greens and broccoli). This prevents premature ripening and spoilage. For fresh herbs, trim the stems and store them in a cup of water (like a bouquet), then cover loosely with a plastic bag and refrigerate.

• Are you planning on keeping produce for a few days or more? If you don’t plan on using fruits and veggies immediately or within 2-3 days, store them whole and unwashed in the refrigerator. Rinsing can introduce moisture and promote spoilage, so only wash before you plan to use them.

Balancing Budget and Health Concerns When Shopping for Fruits and Veggies

Buying organic fruits and veggies isn’t always feasible when you’ve got a grocery budget. However, planning your meals before grocery shopping can help you stick to a budget, streamline your shopping time, and enable you to shop for occasional organic options to reduce pesticide exposure. You could also try to garden your fruits and veggies using sustainable, pesticide-free methods to cultivate a safe, clean harvest.

While fresh produce is delicious and nutritious, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are as dense in nutrients and may contain fewer pesticides. Some manufacturers clean produce before canning or freezing, but pesticide exposure varies by brand and produce type. Produce is often canned in water, rinsing pesticides away, but it’s a good idea to rinse them again before consumption.

In Conclusion

While organic produce offers a safer alternative with lower pesticide residues, it’s not always feasible due to higher expenses. However, you can ensure the safety and cleanliness of your fruits and veggies with the abovementioned ways to wash pesticides off grocery produce. Rinsing under running water, soaking in saltwater, vinegar, or baking soda, and trimming or peeling some fruits and vegetables can further reduce pesticide exposure.

Visit Stoney Creek Farm in Tennessee to learn about pesticide residue removal, fresh and organic produce, and sustainable living!  If you want to learn how to grow your own produce without pesticides, we have an ebook that give you all the steps!