12 Fruits and Vegetables You Should Always Wash Extra Carefully

Spring is a great time to refresh your space as well as your habits. As you're decluttering closets and scrubbing baseboards, don't forget to turn your attention to your produce drawer. Whether you're buying from the organic section at your grocery store, picking up from a local farmers market or having fresh goods delivered, the number one rule still applies: wash your fruits and vegetables. Even though most produce on store shelves is safe to eat, it's still possible for trace amounts of pesticides, dirt and bacteria to cling to the surface. The good news? You don't need to panic. According to the US Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program (PDF), over 99% of food tested met Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety standards -- and more than a quarter had no detectable pesticide residue at all. Still, as part of your spring reset, getting into the habit of rinsing all your produce before eating is a smart move for both your health and peace of mind. To be clear, some c ... Read full article.