Fruit and vegetable washing vs. Miracle Soap II

Fruits and vegetables bring lots of great things to the kitchen table: fresh flavors, vivid colors, and needed nutrients to keep your good health. However, to truly enjoy your produce you need to make sure you leave any contaminants behind by washing them well before peeling, cutting, eating, or cooking. After a severe case of food poisoning last year, I've become somewhat militant about washing my fruits and vegetables. While there are sprays and cleaners you can buy commercially, I like to stay "minimalist" and use my one basic I have at home: my beloved Miracle Soap II products. (Coincidentally, I also clean my house with these items!)

Most people understand that meat products need to be properly handled to prevent food borne illnesses, some do not realize that fruits and vegetables may also cause illness if not handled and stored properly. I used to think a good rinse under warm running water was sufficient, but as I learned the hard way, this does not actually remove germs and bacteria In fact, contaminated fruits and vegetables have been the culprit in several large outbreaks of food poisoning illnesses. Here are a few of the most common ways your produce can become contaminated before it even reaches your home:

• Harmful substances that are put into the soil or water during the growing phase.
• Poor hygiene among workers during harvest, packing, and transporting.
• Produce that contains bruises, mold, or other signs of damage.
• If you are purchasing pre-cut items, they may not be properly refrigerated or iced properly at the store.

Once you finally get your produce home there are a few more steps to partake in the proper care of your fruits and vegetables besides the obvious of washing them in the Miracle Soap II product.

• Store perishable fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them. Always store pre-cut fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, too.
• Wash the produce with Miracle Soap II products before you peel it or wash it. That way, contaminants will not be transferred from your knife to the fruit or vegetable.
• Hold the fruit or vegetable under cool running tap water, gently rubbing it as you rinse it.
• For firm produce, such as melons and winter squash, use a clean vegetable brush to scrub the surface with the Miracle Soap II product as you rinse it.
• Produce with bumpy, uneven surfaces, such as cauliflower and broccoli, should be soaked for 1 to 2 minutes in cold water and Miracle Soap II product to remove contaminants from the nooks and crannies
• Cut away any damaged or bruised areas of the fruit or vegetable.
• Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry the produce before using it.

Even organic fruits and vegetables, as well as produce from your own garden or local farmers markets, should be washed as well. Follow all of these steps and you will become one step closer to not following in my footsteps and becoming ill with food poisoning (I am a mother of two children and let’s just say I would rather have a third child before I ever would go through food poisoning ever again). Make sure to properly use your Miracle Soap II products and just in case you ever run out of soap you could always use a backup plan and use your old pal’s vinegar and baking soda.

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