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  4. How to wash fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across most parts of the world as of mid-April 2020. This highly contagious viral infection, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has infected about two million people globally and claimed more than 100,000 lives. With governments, scientists, healthcare professionals and essential service providers working constantly to contain the spread of this disease, most affected nations have been put under lockdowns.

In India, a nation-wide lockdown was put in place starting 25 March 2020, which has now been extended to 3 May. During this period, people are expected to stay at home, maintain physical distancing, practice respiratory hygiene and wash hands regularly and properly with soap and water. Stepping out is only permitted for one member of each house at a time, and that too just for the purpose of getting essentials.

Following hygiene while stepping out to get essentials is very important, and in most parts of the country, wearing homemade face covers have been made compulsory too. However, once the essentials are brought home, people might be unsure about how to disinfect them. Disinfecting all surfaces regularly has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as well.

However, unlike other surfaces, fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be cleaned with chemical disinfectants like bleach or soap or even alcohol-based sanitizers. Very simply, this is because these chemicals might leave residues on fresh food produce, which can cause ailments that are just as harmful as the COVID-19 infection. So, how should you clean your vegetables and fruits to make sure they don’t carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Read on to find out.

  1. Can COVID-19 be passed through fresh fruits and vegetables?
  2. How to wash and clean fresh vegetables and fruits
  3. Things you should never do

Can COVID-19 be passed through fresh fruits and vegetables?

All the current evidence about COVID-19 indicates that this viral infection does not spread through food. However, as the WHO points out, even though viruses do not grow in or on foods - including raw fruits and vegetables - fresh produce may serve as a vehicle or carrier for infection. 

For example, if a COVID-positive person sneezes on fresh fruits and vegetables and you later end up buying it and consuming it without washing or cleaning it, you too might ingest the virus and get infected in turn. This is the reason why washing fruits and vegetables after bringing them home, then washing your hands with soap and water immediately afterwards is very important.

Read more: Is it safe to order food online during COVID-19?

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How to wash and clean fresh vegetables and fruits

If you’re worried about the fresh fruits and vegetable you’re getting home being carriers for the COVID-19 infection, here are a few safety and hygiene precautions you can easily follow:

  • Make sure the produce vendors are wearing gloves and masks while selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Ask the sellers if they regularly clean and disinfect the carts, baskets, etc where they place the fruits and vegetables.
  • Once you get the fruits and vegetables home, keep them separated from everything else and make sure they come into contact with limited surfaces only. Take a note of these surfaces, because you should disinfect them after cleaning the produce. You should also disinfect or safely dispose of the bag you brought the fruits and vegetables in.
  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the WHO suggest that washing fruits and vegetables in warm water can break down viruses easily. The WHO also suggests that washing and rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables multiple times in running water can also disinfect them. You can follow either of these methods, but make sure you scrub the entire surface of each product thoroughly.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after washing the vegetables.
  • It is recommended that you dry the fruits and vegetables with a clean paper towel before storing them.
  • Clean the storing area or refrigerator thoroughly and regularly.
  • The FSSAI, CDC and WHO suggest that cooking fresh produce thoroughly and completely can also reduce the risk of viral infections. Make sure you cook vegetables properly and do not leave them raw. Most fruits need not be cooked, so wash them again before cutting or consuming them.

Read more: How to eat healthy during a COVID-19 lockdown

Things you should never do

Following the above-mentioned hygiene and safety precautions will help you ensure that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not carried into your homes via fresh fruits and vegetables, but you must also wash and clean every other product you buy right now. And while you can use disinfectants on non-edibles and packets, here are a few things you should never do to fruits and vegetables:

  • Do not spray bleach or wash fruits and vegetables in concentrated/diluted acids, isopropyl or even soap. If the residue of any of these chemicals remains in your fresh produce and you then consume it, you can suffer from food poisoning, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.
  • Do not buy visibly bruised, stale or old fruits and vegetables. If you find insects inside these products, throw them away immediately. These may not cause COVID-19, but will increase your risk of bacterial infections and fungal infections.
  • Do not store leftover food with fresh food in the same shelves of the refrigerator. This can lead to cross contamination.

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References

  1. National Health Service [Internet]. UK; How to wash fruit and vegetables
  2. World Health Organization [Internet]. Geneva (SUI): World Health Organization; Surface decontamination of fruits and vegetables eaten raw
  3. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System; Coronavirus and 5 Questions about Safe Snacking
  4. Food & Drug Administration [Internet] United States Department of Health and Human Services. Maryland. USA; Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India [Internet]. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. New Delhi. India; Keep food safety in mind while buying essential items during COVID-19
  6. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India [Internet]. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. New Delhi. India; PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
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