how to sanitize fresh produce?

What is a good way to sanitize fresh produce?

Is there a different method recommended for washing produce like lettuce and something like apples and oranges or potatoes or bananas?

I would just put it in the sun, since light kills viruses.  It also would evaporate any chlorine that's possibly sprayed in the air in that store or in packaging.  It's also why I'm taking vitamin C, the sugar chewable ones, since they neutralise chlorine internally, and also sugar in the vitamin C tablet is a stabilising force that slows down the vitamin C a bit unlike powdered C.

What is your goal by "sanitising" no amount of rinsing in water will wash all bacteria or viruses off it that is the goal. you can only wash off dirt which may also remove the majority of the nasties. you will need to use a sanitising agent (I believe sanidate is one used) if you wish to kill anything that may be on the produce.

I've never heard of anybody getting salmonella from eating plants, but bagged lettuce.  However, they usually issue recalls when that happens.

Mark Kissinger wrote:What is a good way to sanitize fresh produce?

Is there a different method recommended for washing produce like lettuce and something like apples and oranges or potatoes or bananas?

If you are worried about viruses on food, don't be: A virus needs a host [human or animal] to survive. the virus may be coughed or sneezed on produce, but it seems to be only when you touch the produce [in a moist droplet] then touch your face, mouth, nose etc that you could possibly get infected: It does not survive long on non host organisms.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/how-should-you-best-wash-produce-a-guide-to-home-food-safety-tips-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic/

I don’t know that it is possible to *sanitize* produce.  But I suppose one could minimize contamination by thoroughly washing off the produce.  I don’t know how well sunlight would break down viruses.  Maybe if every possible surface was exposed thoroughly to sunlight, but it is something like broccoli, then there are always surfaces that will be shaded.

My 2 cents,

Eric

lettuce, sprouts, orange juice, spinach and others make more recall than meat for sick people.  I don't buy them because difficult to know if safe.  

Growing at home safer and easier

The local media is suggesting a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water.  Not sure I would want to use this on something I'm going to eat.

But it looks like the virus dies off most surfaces in 24 to 72 hours.  Even still, I'm sticking to food I can cook until the garden gets growing.

Washing vegetables with 2% of salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the vegetables and fruits.

Using a solution that's three parts water and one part vinegar will be most effective at removing bacteria.