We asked five food safety experts, and their answers might surprise you. Some warn of potential risks, while others see it differently. Is there a consensus? Here’s what the experts say.
🔬 Donald Schaffner, an expert from Rutgers University in Microbiology, Food Safety
Answer: ❌ Unlikely
“There’s a bunch of people out there recommending you wash your fresh produce with soap. This is not a good idea. Soap is known to cause vomiting and or diarrhea. It’s for washing hands not for use on food.”
Evidence:
Here is the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Dawn Dish Soap) saying Ingestion: May result in nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
Here is one for hand soap saying Ingestion: May cause mild gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Here is a letter to the editor from Pediatrics (1972) entitled Detergent Toxicity. Finally, there is this article.
Stay home if you can, wash your *hands* and use hand sanitizer, and take care of those who need it most. Also don’t wash your produce in soap.
🥼 Jason Bolton, an expert from University of Maine in Food Safety
Answer: ❌ Unlikely
“I fully agree with Dr. Schaffner and the links he provided. Soap and water should only be used on food contact surfaces such as cutting board, countertops and utensils. As most produce is porous, the soapy water may enter the food.”
🥽 Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, an expert from University of Georgia in Food Safety
Answer: ✅ Likely
“I just want to clarify that by soap, I am not talking about detergent. I mean hand soap. Yes, it is safe as long as the soap is rinsed thoroughly, but I would not advise it as a better method than just plain water, since I do not have data to support whether it can be thoroughly rinsed off.”
🧪 Robson Machado, an expert from University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Food Safety, Microbiology
Answer: ❌ Unlikely
“I agree with Dr. Schaffner and Dr. Bolton. In any recommendation for the use of soap or another detergent, there is always a rinse step. That step is there exactly because we do not want to ingest soap. Soap also works best on non-porous surfaces, which is not the case in fruits and vegetables. “
🦠 Nigel Cook, an expert from Jorvik Food and Environmental Virology in Virology
Answer: ❌ Unlikely
“This is not recommended at all. Soap ingredients may cause adverse health effects if ingested. Washing fruit and vegetable surfaces thoroughly in clean water should reduce any potential microbial contamination. Thirty seconds in running water is effective at reducing virus contamination of fruit and vegetables.”
Evidence:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168160508002365.
Verdict: Keep Soap Away From Your Produce
The experts have spoken: save the soap for your hands, not your food. While one specialist suggested thoroughly rinsed soap might be okay, the overwhelming consensus warns against it. Soap residues can cause stomach issues and may be absorbed by porous fruits and vegetables. The simple solution? Thirty seconds under clean running water does the job without the risks. When it comes to food safety, sometimes the simplest approach is the smartest one.
Still curious? Here are some other questions to consider.
Are fruits grown near roadsides more susceptible to heavy metal contamination?🥭Is vinegar a good solution for cleaning fruits and vegetables?
🥦Do organic foods have lower pesticide residues than conventional foods?