Strawberries are a very appreciated fruit. Their versatility makes them an ideal ingredient for desserts, smoothies or simply to enjoy them naturally. However, being a food that is usually consumed raw, it is essential to extreme precautions in its handling and washing to avoid health risks.
Being a delicate and highly perishable crop product, strawberries are exposed to different external agents before reaching the consumer table. During their production, they can come into contact with land remains, bacteria and even pesticide residues used to protect them from pests.
In addition, its porous surface and its fragility hinder rapid and effective cleaning, which makes it even more important to know the appropriate methods to wash them correctly.
To this is added that, on many occasions, strawberries are marketed in plastic containers or baskets without additional protection, which increases the risk of cross contamination during storage and sale.
In local supermarkets and markets it is common for consumers to handle the fruit with their hands before buying it, which can leave residues and microorganisms on the surface. Therefore, guaranteeing good washing at home is essential to enjoy this food with total tranquility.
AESAN recommendations
In Spain, The Spanish Food Security and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) emphasizes the need to wash all fruits and vegetables before preparation or consumption. Ensures that this process must be carried out by keeping the skin intact, even if it is placed to peel them later, in order to avoid the transfer of pollutants from the surface inside when cutting them.
For those fruits and vegetables with hard peels, such as melon, watermelon, cucumber or zucchini, it is recommended to use a specific brush that allows to eliminate possible waste adhered to the surface.
Once washed, it is important to dry them with kitchen paper or a clean and dry cloth. In case of opting for the use of chemicals, such as food solutions suitable for food, the product label must always be consulted and follow the correct use indications.
The importance of thorough cleaning
The presence of pesticides in strawberries is an issue that worries many consumers. Strawberries, being a fine skin fruit without protective shell, can retain waste of phytosanitarys used in their cultivation. Although food security controls seek to ensure that the levels of these substances are safe for consumption, proper washing at home is a complementary measure that helps reduce any possible rest of these compounds.
In addition to pesticides, strawberry manipulation throughout the distribution chain can cause dirt and microorganisms to accumulate. From the field to the store, these fruits can go through different hands and surfaces, which makes it essential to hygienize them correctly before ingesting them.
Storage conditions also play a key role: heat and humidity favor the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, which could affect food safety if appropriate measures are not taken.
Tips for proper cleaning and conservation
To clean the strawberries effectively, it is recommended to submerge them in a container with water for a few minutes. Some people choose to add white or bicarbonate of sodium to water, since these ingredients help eliminate impurities and microorganisms from the surface without altering the taste of the fruit. After this process, it is essential to rinse them with plenty of running water to remove any residue.
Another key aspect is conservation. It is recommended to wash only the amount to be consumed immediately, since moisture can accelerate its deterioration. Storing them in a container with good ventilation inside the refrigerator helps to keep them fresh for longer and avoid the proliferation of mold.
For those who seek to minimize exposure to chemicals, an alternative is to opt for ecological cultivation strawberries. However, even in these cases, wash remains essential to eliminate remains of land, dust and microorganisms that may be present in the fruit.
Alternatives to reduce exposure to pesticides
For those who seek to minimize exposure to chemicals, an alternative is to opt for ecological cultivation strawberries. However, even in these cases, wash remains essential to eliminate remains of land, dust and microorganisms that may be present in the fruit.
Another option is to acquire strawberries in proximity markets or directly from producers that guarantee a lower application of pesticides. Although this does not completely eliminate the possibility of waste, it usually reduces its presence.
#wash #strawberries #safe #consumption
