health
February 25, 2026
Should you sanitise your strawberries? Experts on the right way to wash fruit and vegetables
Online influencers are soaking and spraying their fresh produce, but experts say the ‘number one rule’ of food hygiene has nothing to do with special sanitisers
TL;DR
- Viral TikTok videos show influencers deep-cleaning fruit and vegetables with baking soda, vinegar, and specialized soaps, claiming to remove contaminants.
- Fruit farm operators and food microbiologists state that washing produce thoroughly before storage can reduce shelf life, especially for soft fruits.
- Experts recommend a simple rinse under cold running water just before eating or cutting produce, as the body can handle normal levels of microorganisms.
- Items like rockmelon and tightly packed leafy greens require thorough rinsing due to potential dirt and pathogen contamination.
- The most crucial food hygiene rule recommended by experts is washing hands before handling groceries and putting them away.
- While some home-wash methods like baking soda and vinegar may slightly degrade pesticides, their effectiveness is limited and can sometimes affect produce quality.
- Specialized fruit and vegetable cleaning products often make unsubstantiated claims, and experts warn against paranoia and alarmist marketing.
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