logo
Experts say you're meant to do this before you eat bananas

Experts say you're meant to do this before you eat bananas

Daily Mirror3 days ago
People hardly think to do this before taking a bite out of one of the nation's favourite fruits
For years, people have been nonchalantly eating bananas straight from their fruit bowls without a second thought. But there's a crucial step many are skipping that they wouldn't dream of overlooking with other foods.

Health experts have long said it is important to wash your bananas before eating the creamy fruit. It may strike you as weird to wash something when you're probably going to throw the freshly washed skin in the bin anyway, but this could change your mind next time you fancy a banana.

The Huffington Post has previously highlighted that bananas, despite their tougher exterior, should be treated like any other fruit and given a good rinse. Tamika Sims, senior director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council, told the publication: "You should be washing produce that has a peel with clean running water, even if you plan to discard it."

She added that this hygienic habit was "best practice in safe food handling to minimise the transfer of dirt or microbes that may be on the skin to the fruit". Sims added: "Even if it feels counterintuitive, you should wash first."
Despite the fact that you might peel a banana and chuck the skin, washing it is essential to get rid of any lurking dirt, bacteria, and potential pesticides from the surface, which prevents them from being transferred to your hands and subsequently into your mouth.

Consuming any unwashed fruit can result in foodborne illnesses due to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, not to mention the potential ingestion of pesticides and other contaminants. Unwashed produce might also harbour dirt, debris, and even insects which are not fit for consumption - and bananas are no different.
Certain groups are more susceptible to food poisoning from unwashed produce, including:
children under the age of 5
adults aged 65 and over
pregnant women
people with weakened immune systems

Healthline reports that typical banana harvests often come with a coating of pesticides. The outlet claimed: "Pesticide exposure has been linked to several adverse effects on health and may increase the risk of conditions like autism, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dementia."
How should you properly wash a banana?
The best method is to clean a banana isn't rocket science - just hold it under cool running tap water for about 30 seconds, using your hands to brush off any visible soil. It's important to avoid soaps or detergents as they can leave harmful residues behind.
Food safety specialist Trevor Craig told HuffPost readers: "If you really want to go for it, you can use a diluted vinegar solution of one part vinegar to four parts clean water to spray your food. This will help kill some bacteria and won't leave a bad taste or possibly dangerous chemicals on your food."
The expert also recommended that for those eager to ensure their fruits are spotless, using a brush on thicker-skinned fruits and vegetables, like avocados, could be beneficial. He said: "Skins are often textured and have lots of space for things to fit in that you don't want to be in your finished product." Once you've finished washing, pat the banana dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued on Tesco pasta salads over Salmonella contamination fears
Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued on Tesco pasta salads over Salmonella contamination fears

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued on Tesco pasta salads over Salmonella contamination fears

Food chiefs have issued an urgent 'do not eat' warning over popular supermarket pasta salads over fears they are contaminated with Salmonella. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recalled three Tesco pasta salads following the identification of the bacteria, with customers warned over potential fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. Anyone who has bought the affected products has been told not to eat them and to return them to any Tesco store for a full refund. The warning applies to the 255g Tesco Basil Pesto & Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with the use by date of July 24 2025, the 285g Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Pasta with the use by date 24 and 25 July 2025, and the 290g Tesco Feta Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with the use by date 24 July 2025. In the notice, the FSA wrote: 'Tesco is recalling various Tesco Pasta Salads because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. 'Symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others. 'Tesco is recalling the above products and has issued a recall notice to alert customers. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products.' In its advice to consumers, the agency wrote: 'If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to any Tesco store for a full refund. For further information, please visit Tesco's contact Tesco page at:

Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products
Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products

Leader Live

time3 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products

Customers at Tesco are being urged not to eat multiple meal deal items due to the possible presence of salmonella. The affected items are the Tesco Basil Pesto & Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with a use by date of July 24, the Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Pasta with a use by date of July 24 or July 25, and the Tesco Feta Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with a use by date of July 24. Salmonella was found in the products during routine testing by Tesco. Thursday 24 July. Tesco recalls various Tesco Pasta Salads because of possible contamination with Salmonella #FoodAlert A Tesco spokesman said: 'We are recalling specific date codes of three Tesco Pasta Salads due to the possible presence of salmonella. 'If you have purchased the affected date code of the above product, please do not eat it. 'Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required. 'If further information is required, please visit our contact us page on: 'No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.' A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: 'Symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. 'If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.' If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products
Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products

North Wales Chronicle

time3 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Tesco recall warning as salmonella found in pasta products

Customers at Tesco are being urged not to eat multiple meal deal items due to the possible presence of salmonella. The affected items are the Tesco Basil Pesto & Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with a use by date of July 24, the Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Pasta with a use by date of July 24 or July 25, and the Tesco Feta Semi Dried Tomato Pasta with a use by date of July 24. Salmonella was found in the products during routine testing by Tesco. Thursday 24 July. Tesco recalls various Tesco Pasta Salads because of possible contamination with Salmonella #FoodAlert A Tesco spokesman said: 'We are recalling specific date codes of three Tesco Pasta Salads due to the possible presence of salmonella. 'If you have purchased the affected date code of the above product, please do not eat it. 'Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required. 'If further information is required, please visit our contact us page on: 'No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.' A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency (FSA) added: 'Symptoms caused by Salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. 'If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay away from work, school or nursery until you have stopped having symptoms for at least 48 hours to avoid passing it on to others.' If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific actions to be taken on behalf of consumers.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store