Yahoo Lifestyle Worried About Norovirus? This Simple Hack Will Get Your Fruits And Veggies Squeaky Clean
Berries are the perfect addition to any smoothie and yogurt bowl—plus, they're perfect for snacking. But they also can come with a real risk of foodborne illnesses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a new strategy around berry safety. They're currently looking to "promote high rates of compliance with FDA food safety requirements," "broaden scientific knowledge of of viruses," and "incentivize industry and governments to embrace the use of public health prevention measures through immunization programs to promote worker health," according to a FDA release.
According to experts, the biggest concerns surround norovirus and hepatitis A. Berries hand-harvested, meaning if a worker who picks berries has norovirus or hepatitis A and doesn’t properly clean their hands, they can transfer those viruses to your berries. Both of these viruses are also “highly resilient,” which means they’re tough to kill.
Luckily, there's an easy way to wash any of your fruits and veggies. Find out the simple hack below.
How should I wash my fruits and veggies?
Research has found that using a mix of water—along with fruit and vegetable sanitizers that contain peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide—can help reduce levels of norovirus and hepatitis A on fruit.
If you don't have a sanitizer, you can use something you probably already have in your kitchen—baking soda—to get your produce sparkly clean, according to Arm & Hammer. Baking soda (which is made of sodium bicarbonate) is mildly abrasive, so it removes dirt, and it also absorbs grease and odors.
There are two ways to do it: Add a few tablespoons of the stuff to a bowl of water, then soak your berries or greens for five to 10 minutes before rinsing them off. Or, sprinkle a little baking soda onto a vegetable brush or clean, damp sponge, scrub, and rinse.
Happy cleaning!
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