Experts: Foodborne illness more common than public realizes

I never ever wash fruits or vegetables in Japan. They look so clean compared to any other country I have ever been to. And taste great.

shona - everyone I know here washes vegetables thoroughly and peels everything. Why? Because they say the chemicals on them are harmful.

And what exactly is the science behind " they look so clean compared to any other country"???

What a nice clean pretty looking chemical doused apple is better than a pock-marked small organic one?

I drop a tiny anti bacteria detergent in washing bowl and wash fruits and veggies. Then, I rinse them under running water 3 or 4 times very carefully. Does anyone do this?　

Foodborne diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, metals, prions etc. and can be prevented by properly storing, cooking, cleaning, and handling food. Basic food safety measures should include washing all utensils and surfaces with hot water before and after they are used to prepare food and also to sanitize utensils and surfaces using hot water with diluted bleach.

There is no way to get rid of prions.

Shona, I wash fruits and vegeables because of the possibility that a number of people have handled them. Tests of makeup samples in department stores have found them to harbor herpes, e coli and staph, among other bacteria. I don't expect vegetables or fruit to be clean. Many people don't wash their hands after the bathroom, fiddle with their noses, scratch themselves and then squeeze a few tomatoes before they pick one.

We all should wash our hands as well fruits and vegetables before eating,cooking or storing them to prevent from these types of diseases.