How to kill viruses on fruits and vegetables

Shopping for different foods is a frequently discussed topic these days and rightly so, because viruses, especially the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, can survive on the surface of various foods for quite a long time. Baked goods and fruit and vegetables are probably foods that are touched most frequently by shoppers. While baked goods may be sold packaged, fruits and vegetables are usually not. Yes, grapes tomatoes or sometimes peppers are sold in boxes but that may not always be the case. Most of them are still displayed in crates and boxes with no cover. So, what should you do when you bought “bare” fruit and vegetables?

There will always be unpacked fruits and vegetables

If you want to eat an apple or a banana, you have to buy individual pieces, weigh the fruit, put it in the shopping basket, put it at the counter before checkout and then bring it to your car. Lot of touching and many people go through this touching process. Maybe you can try shopping in the morning when the stores should be disinfected… but you never know. Plus you need to go shopping when your time allows it…

 Photo: Pixabay

Washing with water only is not enough

When we were children, adults taught us that fruit and vegetables must be washed under running water. True, this will remove various impurities even dirt particles and bacteria but water cannot remove viruses stuck to the surface of fruits and vegetables. Scrubbing the surface is often rather counterproductive but there are several ways how to clean and remove viruses on your fruit.

 Photo: Pixabay

Salt, vinegar or alcohol

The first interesting way is to use a ten percent salt solution. (1 part of salt and 10 pars of water). Soak fruits and vegetables in the solution for 20 minutes,then rinse under running water and dry with paper towels. Another method is to use a twenty percent vinegar solution. (2:8) Use in the same way as the salt solution. You may also try citric acid solution or wash the fruit with 70% alcohol. The last option is to peel the fruit or vegetables. Yes, you will lose vitamins and minerals, but you will also reduce the risk of getting viruses into your system…

Preview photo: Pixabay