Washing Your Fresh Produce

We recommend washing all fresh fruit and vegetables before eating — including organic produce.

Fresh produce naturally travels from the farm to your home and may come into contact with soil, water and handling along the way.

For safe preparation at home:

• Wash fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly under clean, running water before eating or preparing.
• Pay particular attention to produce that will be eaten raw.
• Gently rub firm produce under running water to help remove visible soil and dirt.
• Do not use soap, detergents or household disinfectants on your produce.
• Wash your hands before preparing fresh food and keep preparation surfaces and utensils clean.

According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), fresh fruit and vegetables should be washed under running water before eating. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends washing fruit and vegetables with safe drinking water, particularly when they are eaten raw.

A little soil is part of the journey from farm to table — a good rinse before eating is always recommended.