Washing fruits and vegetables well prior to consumption is one of the most essential hygiene and food safety measures. According to information revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO) it is one of the most important health habits and key in the prevention of diseases.
The truth is that washing fruits and vegetables can eliminate bacteria . This is because they are foods that are obtained from the earth, in which it is very normal for bacteria such as E. Coli to be found, one of the main responsible for stomach poisoning , which results in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever . However, all these types of products may contain pathogenic microorganisms and other chemicals that are related to health conditions.
Taking into account the information revealed by the FDA (Food, Drug Administration), about 33 million people suffer from illnesses that are transmitted by food. Which can be health conditions ranging from mild to serious , depending on the type of bacteria and state of the immune system of each person.
The truth is that most diseases of this type are caused by poor cleaning and disinfection of products. Both at home, as in cafes and restaurants. That is why over the years the food industry has used various disinfection methods , probably the most popular being iodine. However, in recent years its use has been contradictory, mainly because it can be a toxic agent.
In fact, there are references in which the adverse effects of an excessive consumption of iodine are indicated , which are related to symptoms such as tachycardia, weight changes, thyroid affectations and eye and lung health. Based on this, we currently have many alternatives, among which acidic compounds stand out, which have the peculiarity of not being corrosive.
4 alternatives to disinfect food:
1. Grapefruit seed extract
It is one of the most famous non-toxic broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds , it is a complex mixture that is made up of the pulp, seeds and membranes of grapefruit. It has been shown to kill or inhibit the growth of a large number of potentially harmful gram negative and gram positive bacteria , fungi, viruses and protozoan parasites. Another of its great advantages is that its use as a disinfectant is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). There are also research works such as the studies carried out at the University of Chile, which consider it a biodegradable, hypoallergenic and non-toxic product.
2. Peracetic acid
This acid is one of the most used disinfectants in the food industry , it is a transparent liquid that, when decomposed, forms water, oxygen and acetic acid. It is highly valued thanks to all the certifications it has, its use is endorsed by important institutions such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture and the FDA. In fact, they consider it a perfect antimicrobial. At the same time, its use is recommended as a disinfectant on surfaces , to disinfect fruits and vegetables , also in meat, poultry and seafood.
3. Acetic acid
Acetic acid is a very famous organic compound , in principle because it is the main component of vinegar and is in fact responsible for its sour taste and smell. Its disinfectant and antimicrobial benefits are endorsed by the FDA. That is why sprinkling vinegar on fruits and vegetables is a perfect remedy to disinfect in a natural, environmentally friendly and healthy way for human consumption.
4. Chlorine
Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant in the food industry and it also plays an important role in household cleaning. In fact, chlorine is an indispensable chemical in water purification, disinfectants and in bleach . It is considered one of the most powerful antiseptics, chlorine in water is more than three times more effective as a disinfecting agent against Escherichia coli than an equivalent concentration of bromine , and more than six times more effective than an equivalent concentration of iodine.