Do bagged salads and cantaloupes need to be washed?

WASHINGTON – When using bagged, pre-washed greens, don’t assume they’re good straight from the bag.

It’s a good idea to rinse the leaves, because bacteria can still be lurking inside those bags.

Consumer Reports on Health says to rinse thin-skinned produce, such as plums and tomatoes, under cool running water and follow up with a vegetable brush.

It also recommends giving cantaloupe a good scrubbing before taking a knife to it. Bacteria can settle in the rough rind and when a knife cuts through, the inside can get contaminated.

There is no need to wash off eggs before cooking or raw meat and poultry. Just be sure to cook them thoroughly.

WTOP’s Paula Wolfson contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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