Washing fruits and vegetables may sound easy because all you have to do is take the sponge, add a few drops of soap and wet it, right? But do we really know how to protect ourselves from the dangers of food hygiene?

Proper washing of fruits and vegetables is required to remove residues of soil, chemicals or biological pathogens. 

We need fruits and vegetables for a balanced and adequate diet because of their numerous nutritional advantages, but they can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. 

Those dangers contribute to foodborne diseases (FBD). 

According to WHO, FBD is one of the most common public health problems worldwide.

It is, therefore, necessary to raise awareness of the risks, poor practices, threats and solutions. 

Proper food disinfection will reduce the load of microorganisms. 

But how do I sanitize my food?

Firstly, you need to have a clean area, where you can wash your hands as well as your utensils. 

After that, you should follow a procedure according to what you are going to wash, such as fruits, vegetables, tubers, etc.

 But for now, we will leave it in general advice. These recommendations are essential to avoid food poisoning and if followed correctly, it will be possible to reduce the risks and eat with the certainty that you will not end up with salmonella or any parasite.

Before washing fruits or vegetables, discard any damaged or bruised parts, and gently scrub the food while rinsing it under running water. 

Contrary to popular belief, washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial cleaners is not recommended. 

Therefore, we recommend you go natural and not trust your health to the market.

(You can wash your fruits and vegetables with baking soda, vinegar or a solution soaked with lemon)

According to the "Manual on the five keys to food safety" prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is essential to maintain cleanliness, keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water and raw materials. 

Unwashed fruits and vegetables are carriers of countless bacteria and microorganisms, so we must ensure their safety, wholesomeness and quality.

Therefore, it is up to us to cultivate the proper cleanliness habits in our food and correct what we were wrongly taught.