Question:
If you buy organic fruit, do you have to peel the skin (e.g., from apple)? Do you have to still wash the fruit thoroughly?
– Michael J.
Answer:
Dashing out the door, I’ll admit that sometimes if my fruit is organic I won’t take time to wash it. But I should! Though organic produce is not treated with pesticides or herbicides, there is the chance for contamination from the spraying of nearby fields, handling, and processing. Cold germs can even get on your fruit at the grocery store from other shoppers. In a review of over 200 studies, researchers found that organic produce was equally likely to be infected with E. coli compared with conventional produce*. Yes, wash your fruit thoroughly! No need to peel it.
For further reading see our July 2018 article What No One Tells You About Organic Produce
* Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier than Conventional Alternatives?: A Systematic Review. C Smith-Spangler, et al. Annual of Internal Medicine. Sept 2012; 157(5): 348-366.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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