"Wash before use" food, is a swish under the tap ok?

[johnd2]

I just opened a pack of grapes and of course it says "wash before use". I take that to mean a quick swish under the tap and it's good, but dare I ask what am I actually supposed to be washing off?

Presumably it's been touched by random workers, dropped on the floor perhaps, sneezed on, and even had spiders walking on it.

Anyone else just give a quick rinse? Or does anyone get out the washing liquid and scrubbing brush? Or does it depend whether it's a carrot or a grape?

Yabu=if you're going to wash it, do it properly
Yanbu=swish sounds fine to me/do what you feel is best

A quick rinse under the tap is fine. I’ve never yet died anyway.

Half the time i don't even do that

I usually shove whatever it is in a colander swish it under a running tap, and consider it done. Predominantly, I will then cook whatever it is though.

I haven't died of poisoning yet, so I think it is an OK approach.

Pesticides, rat droppings…. come to mind. I read that soaking with baking soda gets rid of harmful chemicals. But only when I could be arsed. Otherwise quick rinse with water and rub a bit. Or buy organic and don’t think about the rats

Eek, am I likely to grow a penis due to not having washed my grapes?

A few ears on your back maybe, but not penises.

I've never washed a grape in my life. I don't wash any fruit. I have reached the age of 63 and I never get sick.

I don't wash any food. Might give some veg a cursory rinse if there is visible soil on it but that's about it.

Quick rinse to wash off pesticides mostly.

Think it is about washing off remaining pesticides and removing residue from the cleaning chemicals used by the manufacturer?

I put fruit and veg in a colander in a bowl and put the tap on them... they sort of woosh about in the bowl water and then you drain...

I think it's important to wash foods that are soft on the outside - like raspberries, broccoli etc.. that catches stuff.

I had it explained to me as being related to the tough conditions in which many migrant fruit & vegetable pickers work, often without facilities in which to go to the loo and wash their hands hygienically.

Thus, traces may be on their hands or gloves of things you don’t want to be there.

That and pesticides, pollutants and mice piss.

I try not to think about it and just wash the bloody stuff as best I can.

@TheDandyLion I thought unwashed grapes has caused the Gruffalo to have purple prickles all over his back? We’re a green grape household due to this risk

There could be all sort of things on the stuff. Yes I always just put in a colander and run cold water over it. Growing up my mother never washed anything. Once she developed a really bad rash all over her body. The doctor thought is was pesticide poisioing.

But a quick swish under the tap isn't actually going to wash off any nasties is it? After using the loo would you just do a quick swish or use actual soap with water on your hands?
Not saying I scrub my veggies with soap BTW am just pointing out that a rinse will do bugger all in washing off pesticides or fecal matter

A quick swish isn’t sufficient to clean but I’m sure people have far worse that they consume through contact touch.

Who knows, never bother myself 🤷🏼‍♀️

The quick rinse is better than nothing, mostly you'll be OK anyway if farmers/supermarkets follow the rules, but if fruits are contaminated by high dose of pesticides/fertilizers, if you remove half of poison it can make a big difference.

Thanks all, looks like we're a nation of swishers! I'll keep on as I am and not worry.

I've never washed a grape, pepper, mushroom, any veg and I'm not suffering any ill effects (yet).

Once found a (cooked) caterpillar inside a broccoli floret but it was wedged in so unlikely to have been disturbed with a quick rinse.