Should I wash frozen berries?

[bharminder]

I have frozen wild berries that are not organic. When I wash them a lot of the color goes down the drain. So I prefer not to wash them, but I'm not sure if the suppliers wash the berries before freezing them. I don't think they do. So should I wash them to wash off any pesticides or dirt residues?

Thanks

[carlitos1980]

What kind of berries? Usually, berries have the most pesticides on them. I buy frozen wild blueberries from BJ's at a great price and I don't wash them. I don't think washing frozen berries works to well as you soon. So, either switch to wild /organic frozen or buy fresh non organic and wash. Also at bj's thye have a package containing organic raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries for about 3.50/lb which is a great deal! So check your local wholesale club store...

[DebB]

I've never washed frozen fruit... *Ü*

[bharminder]

What kind of berries? Usually, berries have the most pesticides on them. I buy frozen wild blueberries from BJ's at a great price and I don't wash them. I don't think washing frozen berries works to well as you soon. So, either switch to wild /organic frozen or buy fresh non organic and wash. Also at bj's thye have a package containing organic raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries for about 3.50/lb which is a great deal! So check your local wholesale club store...

I get Rader Farms Wild Blueberries. I'll check and compare the prices to organic and non organic frozen berries. If there isn't a large difference I'll get the organic. But wouldn't you still need to wash the organic berries for dirt and bacteria?

I've never washed frozen fruit... *Ü*

the reason why I bring this topic up is I don't think fruit is washed before freezing because it degrades the fruit faster. So since we all wash our fresh fruits, and since the frozen fruits are (supposedly) not washed, it would make more sense to wash them....that's why I was wondering what I should do

[DebB]

I understand your concern, but I cannot imagine that fruit isn't washed prior to freezing. I live in the desert in WA State and our area is a *huge* fruit producer. If our produce wasn't washed prior to freezing - the inside of that bag would be a muddy mess. It's so windy and dusty here!

But - it's just my assumption that produce is washed prior to freezing. You can always contact the company(ies) and ask them - then you'd get the straight scoop. *Ü*

[Evie]

I would wash them with a produce wash. Personally, I like to get as much of the pesticides or chemicals they were exposed to off. Just my opinion....:)

[bharminder]

That's a good idea Evie.

I e-mailed the company (Rader Farms) and they said the blueberries are washed before freezing.

I'd prefer to buy a produce wash but won't spend the money, I'd rather buy some more fruits or vegetables

[Thick]

I wouldn't wash them in veggie wash, as the freezing and thwing breaks them down to a point that the veggie wash would penetrate the flesh.

Perhaps, if you are very concerned, a weak apple cider vinegar solution soak would be helpful=)

[dbrsecaucus]

I personally contacted Jasper Wyman & Son, the company supplying frozen wild blueberries in Costco and BJ's warehouse club stores in New Jersey. They assured me that their blueberries were washed prior to freezing and packaging and that there is no need to wash them.

Therefore, I use them directly from the freezer every morning, a handful over each bowl of cereal. Their website is www.wymans.com

[Revvell]

... So since we all wash our fresh fruits, ....

I'm not sure who "we all" are yet, I don't wash anything unless it's got obvious dirt on it. Certainly not frozen fruit.

[Seductive Arts]

I don't wash frozen anything, because i put my stuff from bag to blender where I use frozen fruit and "ice cubes" when my other smoothie ingredients is room temperature.

[klomasius]

Nah, I wouldn't, but then I don't really wash anything including fresh fruit, veg and greens, unless as Revvell says it has obvious dirt or sand or something.

I'm not dead yet, in fact am pretty darn healthy! :)

[zinny]

Frozen fruits are normally washed before they are packaged.

But I think some of you are saying you don't wash fresh fruit. If you are buying it from a store, keep in mind there are no bathrooms out in the fields for the farm laborers....just because you can't visibly see dirt doesn't mean it's clean.

[klomasius]

Having been trained in microbiology, I'm well aware of what could be on there, I just don't care.

We've evolved for millions of years being exposed to these organisms and as a consequence, have evolved alongside them. Our immune system is intricately intertwined with these organisms in a complex and dynamic manner.

There is significant evidence to indicate that overcleaning increases one's chance of developing allergies and also becoming oversensitive to pathogens once contact has been initiated. And this seems to work in several ways, both with the impact of the chemicals used to clean AND with the reduced exposure to pathogens on a day to day basis.

[Revvell]

Ditto (well, other than trained in microbiology ~ trained in life though) and well said.

Having been trained in microbiology, I'm well aware of what could be on there, I just don't care.

We've evolved for millions of years being exposed to these organisms and as a consequence, have evolved alongside them. Our immune system is intricately intertwined with these organisms in a complex and dynamic manner.

There is significant evidence to indicate that overcleaning increases one's chance of developing allergies and also becoming oversensitive to pathogens once contact has been initiated. And this seems to work in several ways, both with the impact of the chemicals used to clean AND with the reduced exposure to pathogens on a day to day basis.