8 Ready-to-Eat Foods You Don't Need to Wash Before Eating
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22 Jan 2025
Pasta (dry) Pasta doesn't need washing before cooking since it's a dry product and the cooking process will remove any potential contaminants.
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Egg Most commerically produced eggs are already washed and sanitised before they are packaged. Washing them can can introduce bacteria through the porous shell.
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Canned vegetables Canned vegetables are already processed with heat, which kills bacteria. Washing them could wash away the taste as they are packed in water or brine.
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Frozen Vegetables They are blanched before freezing, which involves a quick dip in boiling water to kill bacteria and preserve colour and nutrients.
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Dried fruits Dried fruits are aged in a way that makes them safe to eat directly from the package. Washing can rehydrate the fruit, rendering it inedible.
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Mushroom Commercial mushrooms are grown in controlled environments and are relatively clean. If necessary, use a damp cloth to clean the dirt.
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Nuts Most nuts you buy are dry-roasted or processed in a way that eliminates the need for washing unless you purchase them loose and they are visibly dirty.
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Canned beans Akin to canned vegetables, they are cooked and packed in a canning process that kills bacteria. Rinsing can reduce sodium but it isn't really required for safety.