Berries: "Wash Before Eating." Really? Why?

[seager]

I am a bit perplexed. I buy some berries, figuring I'll eat them on the go, and then I see "Wash Before Eating."

Now, I have the following questions:

1. Why would a food producer be allowed to put out a product that requires washing?

2. Since it implies it could be filthy, what sort of filth could the food contaminated with? Pesticides? Dirt? E-coli, possibly stemming from the unclean habits of politically protected workers?

3. What sort of washing is required, in order to be sufficient...rinsing only, soap, disinfectant, scrubbing with a brush?

4. Why is such an important matter put only in fine print, where it is likely to be missed, especially before purchase?

5. What is the industry trying to hide by being so vague and why do they appear to have a special right to put out what might be an unclean food product (please excuse the redundancy), placing the responsibility on the consumer to make it safe?

[torran]

1 To protect from lawsuits.
#2 All of the above.
#3 Rinsing, or rinsing wit vegi wash products if you are paranoid.
#4 So not to scare you away from a purchase.
#5 BECAUSE BERRIES WILL NOT STORE AFTER YOU WASH THEM!!! Never wash them until you are about to eat them! They will mold overnite!.
Next week, class, I will tell you how many bugs the GUV allows in the box of cereal you ate this morning. No, I'm not kidding.

[toryn34]

I'll keep this simple....

Having worked on farms picking fruits, berries and veggies I observed several workers relieving them self es in the fields.

So I have painted you a picture?

Will this encourage you to wash veggies, berries, and fruits?

It's Ok most companies require a through washing before the reach the store shelf.

[aenedleah10]

actually, you should wash all fruits and vegetables before eating, even if you plan to peel the skin off. The reason is for dirt and pesticides, and if you think about it, bug poop as well.

[byron92]

I like berries. . .

[bothan]

Some produce cannot be washed and left on a shelf as they will immediately start to deteriorate, so in order to sell that item, as in all produce items, it is necessary to inform people that they need to wash the item before they consume it. As for the filth that could be on it, well, let your imagination be your guide. There could be everything from pesticides to animal urine, and God knows what may be on the hands of the people who handle it before you get it. As far as washing, I usually wash any produce for at least ten seconds under fairly hot water, and then for about another thirty seconds under cold water, swishing everything around to make sure all the nasties get washed off. It isn't up to the industry to have the warnings on the produce any different than what it is. Caveat emptor. It is up to you to take notice of what they are telling you. And as for the industry trying to hide what may possibly be on the produce, well just stop and think how much an apple would cost if there was someone hired to watch each and every piece of fruit from the time it was planted to the time it was put on the shelf at the store, taking note of every single thing that ever touched that fruit and may have contaminated it. Would you be able to pay the price the store would have to charge for it? No, me neither. If this bothers you so badly then maybe you should switch to something like yogurt with fruit in it or maybe Del Monte fruit cups.