Health Tip: Which Foods to Wash

Fruits or vegetables with a skin should always be washed before eating. But other foods shouldn’t be washed, says the United States Department of Agriculture.

Washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking is not a good idea, the agency says. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils and surfaces.

And eggs should not be washed before storing them. The natural coating on fresh eggs is removed by commercial egg processing and is replaced by a light coating of edible mineral oil. This helps restore protection from bacteria.

Source: HealthDay