To have fed her DC unwashed strawberries?

[brilliantdances]

Neighbour will probably see this. Not sure I care. Perhaps she will see how silly she is!

She was desperate for someone to have her DD and I said I would, no worries, all fine.

Her DD shared a box of strawberries with DS today and long story short, she's picked her DC and her DC has told her this.

I have received a text saying ''Hi, thanks again for having Kate. Please can I ask though, next time wash the strawberries before giving them to her? They are dangerous if not washed properly and she could become so unwell. Would you really want that?''

I haven't replied and won't be. AIBU to have not washed them?! Would if I was at home but it was actually just a quick snack shared out

@Arsebucket

All the talk of vinegar has reminded me of my nan, who used to love a fruit salad covered in salt and vinegar.

My used to ask her if she’d like brown sauce on top too.

My Nan used to do that as well. Must be a generation thing. That said, salt on watermelon is delicious as well.

Shit, tagged wrong person

I'll just think they are dirty bastards for not doing so

You might want to look into building immunity to those germs you fear. We get immunity from exposure, not avoidance. Lots of science on the problems lack of exposure causes.

@TheKeatingFive

I'll just think they are dirty bastards for not doing so

And we'll think you're a hysterical neurotic.

All good

Yup.

Immune systems are built up by exposure. Science, innit?

@SingingInTheShithouse

I'll just think they are dirty bastards for not doing so

You might want to look into building immunity to those germs you fear. We get immunity from exposure, not avoidance. Lots of science on the problems lack of exposure causes.

I don't fear germs. Would you eat something a waiter handled all the way to your table? No, and most people would complain. And not eat it. So why all the arguments against washing actual dirt off your food?

I can't believe people are arguing the toss over eating dirty food 😂😂😂

I can’t believe people think that food factories are bastions of hygiene.

How fucking naive.

Oh wow! Precious.

I wash strawberries but I would never send that message, seriously?! You were doing her a favour.

I would have to take very deep breaths before replying.

Meh, I'll take my occasional chances with a rainwater or sprinkle wash, when there isn't access to a tap. Nobody dies from it & it boost immunity & you might even get a bit of extra vitamin B12

@TheKeatingFive

I can’t believe people think that food factories are bastions of hygiene.

How fucking naive.

My daughter worked in a factory making cake bars for cafes/supermarkets for a while. She said everyone was literally dripping with sweat handling the food and she described a colleague with very hairy arms elbow deep mixing dough with bare arms. As long as you can’t taste the sweat/hair/germs it’s best just not to think about it.

As long as you can’t taste the sweat/hair/germs it’s best just not to think about it.

Quite. Totally agree. 😆

@FinallyHere

Anyone who is wondering at the massive increase in allergies in the last decade, would not be surprised by the range of responses on this thread.

Anyone who thinks it 'risky' to eat strawberries which have not been bleached would do well to read up on the role of the human immune system.

I dont know what you've been reading but the only type of exposure that have been shown to lower the chances of allergies are: -Exposure to different food proteins during the first year (but for some kids this triggers alkwrgies)

• Exposure to certain parasitic worms eg hookworm.

Just general grub and grime and viruses make no difference at all.

I thought I'd come back to this thread. Name calling over strawberries though?

For the posters who are 'well, me and my kids eat them unwashed all the time and we're fine,' - again, the potential health issues are linked to the accumulative effect of imbibing pesticides and herbicides over a period of years. You're not going to 'feel' anything from eating unwashed strawberries, and chances are they would taste okay.

Strawberries have long been one of the 'Dirty Dozen': fresh produce that 'soaks up' or retains hazardous residues more readily than other fruit or vegetables.

Immune systems are built up by exposure. Science, innit?

This argument isn't relevant to exposure to herbicides, pesticides and soil additives (which are, in my view, a much more direct threat than other types of contamination).

Exposure to these things builds up nothing except what is sometimes called the 'toxic load.'

The parent was still wrong - her social skills leave much to be desired.

But surely rinsing with water or even vinegar/Milton isn’t going to make any difference if the chemicals are so toxic that they soak into the fruit and then into the human body. If water could get rid of them then all the water in our bodies would get rid of them. I’d be surprised if there’s any less pesticide toxic residue on a washed strawberry than an unwashed one, I’d suggest that anyone who is worried buys organic.

If there was any real risk of eating unwashed produce, they wouldn’t be allowed to sell it/there would have to be more of a warning label than just ‘wash before use’

Does nobody ever go strawberry picking anymore? My mother used to take me and my sister when we were children and we certainly ate a fair few straight from the field as we picked them.

Never did us any harm. We have both lived to tell the tale.

If there was any real risk of eating unwashed produce, they wouldn’t be allowed to sell it/there would have to be more of a warning label than just ‘wash before use

The supermarkets don't need to - there is no immediate causative link between eating a punnet of strawberries and ill health. It is an accumulative exposure issue and the supermarkets are not liable for any harm arising out that.

I’d be surprised if there’s any less pesticide toxic residue on a washed strawberry than an unwashed one, I’d suggest that anyone who is worried buys organic

I only eat organic strawberries - I also don't think that simple washing removes enough of the chemicals, but is does help and it is a good idea.

Some people I know/work with in the US wash strawberries with alkaline water, which emulsifies some surface chemicals and makes them easier to rinse away.

@Thekindofwindowsfaceslookinat

I thought I'd come back to this thread. Name calling over strawberries though?

For the posters who are 'well, me and my kids eat them unwashed all the time and we're fine,' - again, the potential health issues are linked to the accumulative effect of imbibing pesticides and herbicides over a period of years. You're not going to 'feel' anything from eating unwashed strawberries, and chances are they would taste okay.

Strawberries have long been one of the 'Dirty Dozen': fresh produce that 'soaks up' or retains hazardous residues more readily than other fruit or vegetables.

Immune systems are built up by exposure. Science, innit?

This argument isn't relevant to exposure to herbicides, pesticides and soil additives (which are, in my view, a much more direct threat than other types of contamination).

Exposure to these things builds up nothing except what is sometimes called the 'toxic load.'

The parent was still wrong - her social skills leave much to be desired.

If the residues sre soaked up washing them is going to make naff all difference. Add bleach and you are surely making it even worse.

If the residues sre soaked up washing them is going to make naff all difference

There are surface contaminants as well. Washing can make a measure of difference, but it's inadequate with non-organic strawberries, by and large. I would recommend washing rather not bothering at all. Every step we take to reduce any traces of toxic residue is worth it.

Add bleach and you are surely making it even worse

I haven't suggested that anyone uses bleach.

Milton used to have instructions on for the dilution to use to wash salad. Not sure if it still does. I've never tried it.

The mum sounds like really hard work!

If it was me though and you were regularly picking up my DD, I'd ask what she ate the next time you had her. If fruit was straight from the shop again I'd just explain to DD that it should be washed first and she should decline.

Hopefully that will have the desired effect without an embarrassing text having to be sent!

Milton is essentially bleach.

I'll take my stawberries without thanks.

As an earlier op said, surely there must be some connection to the rise in allergies

As an earlier op said, surely there must be some connection to the rise in allergies

There is a large body of research on pesticides being linked to allergies - much of it relating to crop farmers, and more on the effects of toxins being imbibed by the gen pop.

If you're worried about pesticides then baking soda is what you need

www.mirror.co.uk/science/youve-been-washing-fruit-wrong-11421600