How to wash fruits and vegetables to be pesticide-free

It is undeniable, fruit and vegetables that you buy at the market or vegetable vendors must contain pesticides. The chemicals used to kill pests in these plants are still the choice of fruit and vegetable farmers in Indonesia to prevent crop failure. However, do not be afraid of fruit and vegetables, pack farmer, all you need to do is know how to wash fruit properly so that pesticides that stick to fruits and vegetables are lost.

It's trivial, but maybe you've been washing fruit and vegetables carelessly. Find out how to clean fruits and vegetables from pesticides below.

Fruits and vegetables stuck to the most pesticide residues

The use of pesticides often raises pros and cons among farmers and environmental activists, many of whom say that pesticide residues attached to fruits and vegetables can cause health problems. So, it is not wrong if you think that pesticides are dangerous.

Research conducted by Purdue University in Indiana, United States, found that 98% of apples contain pesticide residues or residues and ranks second, occupied by celery as much as 95%. Other vegetables and fruits on the research list include strawberries, peaches, grapes, spinach, peppers, potatoes, kale, and mustard greens.

According to the United States Department Agriculture as reported by ABC news, 90% of pesticide residues were found in 8 popular fruits and vegetables in the community. The use of pesticides in Indonesia, according to the Department of Plant Protection, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Andi Trisyono, as reported in Kompas is very worrying.

These farmers need clear guidelines on pesticide use, dosage, and frequency of spraying because they do not have the literacy skills to understand pesticide label rules. As a result, they increased the pesticide dosage eight times the government's recommendation.

How do you wash fruits and vegetables so they are free of pesticides and bacteria?

Never eat fruits and vegetables without washing them first. Not only are you afraid of pesticides, you also have to be aware of harmful germs and bacteria such as salmonella and e.colli which are often present in raw fruits and vegetables. So, how do you clean the right fruit so that you avoid disease? Here's how.

1. Wash hands before washing the fruit

Before you wash fruit or vegetables, it's a good idea to wash your hands first, the same thing you should do after you finish cleaning the fruit.

2. Separate fruits and vegetables with other food ingredients

Always separate raw fruits and vegetables that you just bought with foods that are ready to eat or cooked food that has been cooked. This is to ensure the pesticide exposure doesn't spread to your food.

3. Cut the damaged part

Among all the fruits and vegetables you buy, there is bound to be one that is imperfect in appearance. If any of the fruit or vegetables are damaged, you can select and cut them first. This is to make sure there are no caterpillars or other organisms in the fruit or vegetables and that your knife is clean.

4. Use running water

Wash your fruits and vegetables under running water. Do not put water in a container and wash it in that container. This method is not recommended.

5. Clean from dirty parts

Clean all parts of the fruit and vegetables, do not overlook. Start with the dirtiest part.

6. Use a special soap for washing fruits and vegetables

To make sure your fruits and vegetables are free of pesticides, you can also use natural products that can be used specifically for washing fruits and vegetables.

Look for products that contain lime as an anti-bacterial agent that can clean bacteria in fruits and vegetables.

7. Rub the fruit

Use a brush to scrub hard dirt like dirt. However, make sure the brush is not too rough because it will injure the skin of the fruit, use a soft brush. If you wash soft-skinned fruits or vegetables like tomatoes or grapes, rub them gently with your hands. This is to prevent tears in the skin of the fruit.

8. Rinse fruits and vegetables

After you wash your fruits and vegetables and make sure they are clean of dirt and pesticides. Rinse under running water until clean.

9. Dry and save the fruit

After making sure there are no more dirt or pesticides on the fruit and vegetables, dry them using a clean towel that is not used for anything. Once dry, place the fruit in a clean container.