Dear Dot: How Should I Clean My Veggies?

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Dear Dot,

Do I need to purchase a special wash for fruits and vegetables, or is it enough to give them a good rinse with water? 

Will

Chilmark

Dear Will,

For many years, I made my own fruit and veggie wash (1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for every 4 cups of water) in order to ensure my three little Dots weren’t ingesting nasties with their produce. And then, well, they got bigger and I got lazier. Well, it gives me great pleasure to learn that Lazy Dot was the Smart Dot. 

All we need to do, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is to run our fruit and vegetables under cold water. If it makes you feel better, you can use a stiff brush on the heartier of your produce, but it’s not necessary. Do use your (washed!) fingers to scrub away any little insect bits, or dirt or teensy pebbles. If you’re concerned about pesticides, buy organic (or grow your own!). But even then, of course, rinse. 

Lazily, Dot

Got a question for Dot? Let her know below:

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