Wash produce under running water before peeling or cutting, and keep knives and boards used for raw meat or seafood separate. The U.S. FDA produce-safety guide notes that surface dirt and bacteria can transfer inward during peeling or cutting, so even produce whose skin will be discarded should be washed first. It advises against soap, detergent, and commercial produce washes and warns that washing does not remove all bacteria. University of Minnesota Extension adds handwashing, drying, and separate boards and utensils.

From hands to the cutting board

  • 1. Wash your hands with soap and water. Cut away bruised or damaged spots; discard produce that looks rotten rather than trying to wash it back to freshness.
  • 2. Rinse and rub the whole item under running water. Scrub firm skins such as cucumbers with a clean produce brush. Do not use soap or household detergent.
  • 3. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then peel or cut. Washing first helps prevent a knife from carrying surface contamination into the interior.
  • 4. Use separate boards and knives for produce and raw meat, poultry, or seafood. If tools are shared, wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and sanitize as directed before preparing ready-to-eat produce.
  • 5. Read packaging on pre-washed produce. If it is labeled ready-to-eat, follow that label; if you choose to rinse it, start with clean hands and a clean sink.

A hypothetical salad prep

Suppose you are preparing cucumber salad and raw chicken on the same counter. Wash the cucumber first and cut it on a produce-only board. After handling chicken, do not return the cucumber to that board unless it has been washed and sanitized. Rinsing a vegetable after it has contacted contaminated equipment does not reliably undo the cross-contact. Even properly washed produce is not guaranteed sterile.

Limits

Running water can reduce surface dirt and some bacteria, but it cannot eliminate every pathogen. Follow the product label and local official guidance. Sprouts and other foods eaten raw may have additional risks and need product-specific advice.