The historical connection
Qimin Yaoshu / 作𦵔藏生菜法
An entry into historical vegetable handling and preservation; the washing routine uses modern food-safety information.
Read the source and edition detailsSet up a simple produce-washing routine
Clean hands, clean tools, and running water turn food care into a kitchen routine.
Your first step today
Wash your hands and tools and prepare a clean space.
A starting point for
People who routinely prepare raw fruit or vegetables.
Try it, step by step
Check any ready-to-eat or prewashed instructions.
When washing is needed, gently rub produce under running water before peeling or cutting.
Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel and follow storage instructions.
Make it part of ordinary life
Keep tools used for raw meat or fish separate from ready-to-eat produce.
What to notice
Check whether clean tools and suitable storage are consistently available.
Check before you begin
- Do not use soap or detergent on produce. Washing does not guarantee removal of every residue or pathogen.
Explore the context behind this practice
Modern guidance and the editorial proposal
Based on FDA advice about running water, clean equipment, and avoiding produce detergents.
FDA · Seven tips for cleaning fruits and vegetablesChecked 2026-11-09
The routine is an editorial proposal, not a literal translation, diagnosis, or prescription. A cited source does not necessarily test this exact routine.