How to Sanitize Groceries Properly

A good way to be safe during this coronavirus pandemic is to disinfect your groceries when you either receive them via doorstep or pick them up at the grocery store.  While there is no evidence that Covid19 is transmitted through food, it’s possible that someone could of sneezed, coughed or even touched it. So if you are concerned, take these steps to sanitize your groceries properly.

Supplies Needed

Gloves
Disinfectant Wipes or Spray
Masking or Painters Tape

How to Clean Groceries Properly

Disinfect your kitchen counter top before bringing in your groceries.

Divide your kitchen counter top by applying a piece of masking or painters tape down the middle so you have 2 sides: dirty side and clean side.

Put on gloves, bring in the groceries and put on the dirty side of the counter. 

Wipe down each product with a disinfectant wipe or by saturated a paper towel with a disinfectant spray except fruits and vegetables. If you are able to take the product out of the box/package such as cereal then do so and dispose the box. If you have fruits and vegetables follow the proper washing procedure below.

Throw all bags away, dispose of gloves and wash hands.

Put clean groceries away. Remove masking tape and disinfect counter top and wash hands again.

How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables

For produce with skin that you peel off before consuming such as Oranges, Tomatoes, Bananas:

Fill a bowl with water and soap and wash each piece for at least 20 seconds and rinse off good.

For produce that don’t require peeling and consumed as is such as Strawberries, Celery, Grapes:

Fill a bowl with cool water and soak. You may add a little bit of vinegar in there if you would like but it does not really do anything better than water can do. Use a scrub brush for rough texture produce like potatoes. Make sure to wash hands for 20-30 after you clean the fruits and veggies.

It is not recommended to use soap or other chemicals on the fruits and vegetables that don’t require peeling because they could be more harmful to you if consumed.

How to Properly Remove and Dispose Gloves

It’s important to take your gloves off a certain way so you can avoid contaminating yourself. To properly remove and dispose your gloves follow the steps below.

First, grab the middle of the glove and pull it over itself holding it in the other gloved hand.

Then slide a finger under wrist band of glove without touching the outside of the glove and pull down towards fingers so it’s inside the other glove and inside out.

Then throw them away and wash hands with soap for 20-30 seconds.