Sometimes there are problems with bacteria in fresh vegetables and fruits. Lately, a dangerous strain of e-coli is more common. Escherichia coli O157:H7, can be very unpleasant, and potentially fatal.

So, what to do?

You might decide to quit eating fresh produce. An alternative is to find better ways to wash it than using water alone. Anti-bacterials may be added to water when washing produce. Two possibilities are grapefruit seed extract, or plain diluted bleach.

Use a bowl large enough to immerse the produce. Add water and a few drops of grapefruit seed extract, or one drop of plain bleach. Stir the water, then immerse the produce in the anti-bacterial solution.

Wait 5 minutes. Rinse a second time with plain water, to wash away the antibacterial chemical.

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