_{It is important to maintain good food hygiene and cleanliness at all times.}

Fruits and vegetables are the very basic ingredients which are used while cooking at home. Although they are cooked before consuming and need not necessarily be had raw, yet proper cleanliness and hygiene while bringing them into use is of the utmost importance. We must ensure that fruit and vegetable produce is clean and devoid of any germs, especially because of the heightened concerns around food safety in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come up with a few guidelines to keep our fruit and vegetable produce safe and clean at all times.

Follow these simple tips to keep your fruits and vegetables clean.#EatRightIndia#HealthForAll#SwasthaBharatpic.twitter.com/8f3vyuQhP4

— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) June 29, 2020

(Also Read: To Eat Or Not To Eat: The Importance Of Food Safety In Post Covid-19 World) 

1. The first tip was to keep the fruits and vegetables inside the packet in which it was bought from the vendor. Further, the packet should be kept in an isolated place for some time before it can be brought into use.
2. To wash the fruit and vegetable produce, use lukewarm water. If necessary, just a single drop of 50ppm chlorine in a tub of warm water can be used for dipping the vegetables.
3. The next step is to clean the vegetables with drinking water. This makes them fit for consumption and further cooking.
4. It is not advisable to use disinfecting sprays, cleaning wipes or soap on fresh produce, as this can harm its quality and hamper the cleaning process. Only fresh water should be used in the cleaning process.
5. As for storing vegetables or fruits in the freezer, it is not required at all. Those goods which may get spoilt should be stored in the refrigerator. Remaining vegetables can be stored at room temperature in baskets or racks.

The FSSAI has also released other tips to maintain good hygiene and sanitation while shopping for food and eating right. Take a look:

Here are some tips to keep in mind once you reach home after shopping.#SwasthaBharat#HealthForAllpic.twitter.com/qC6CIofhKg

— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) June 27, 2020

The e-handbook on “Eating Right during #COVID19” for citizens highlights safe food practices to be followed to avoid the spread of the virus & safeguard health through adequate nutrition. To know more, visit https://t.co/tgRaJARsJepic.twitter.com/TiBtSRkKp4

— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) June 25, 2020

(Also Read: 5 Tips To Properly Wash Fruit And Vegetable Produce Before Consumption)

It is important to follow the right practices to ensure that our vegetables and fruits are fit for consumption. Do not resort to hearsay or myths around the same and only trust information from reliable sources.

About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.