How should you wash fruits and vegetables?

• A. Wash them in hot water and soap.
• B. Rinse under cool running water; scrub with a brush if needed; dry with clean towel; keep separate from raw meat.
• C. Peel all produce before washing.
• D. Wipe with a dry cloth only.

Answer: (B)

Cleaning produce to remove dirt and germs safely is what this item focuses on. Rinse fruits and vegetables under cool running water to wash away dirt and residues, and use a clean brush to scrub firm produce or produce with grooves if needed. After washing, dry them with a clean towel or let them air-dry; drying helps reduce moisture that can invite bacteria to grow. Keep produce separate from raw meat to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. Washing with hot water and soap isn’t safe for ready-to-eat produce, peeling everything before washing can remove nutrients and isn’t necessary for all items, and wiping with a dry cloth only may not remove dirt or germs. The best practice is the rinse, scrub when needed, dry, and separate from raw meat.