DEAR ABBY: Our 19-year-old son is home from college for the summer and he "knows everything." His father and I have told him to wash all fruits and vegetables we buy fresh from the market before eating them. He feels this is not important and continues to eat apples, strawberries and lettuce directly from the container or plastic bag without rinsing them.
Please let me know if our fears are real. I have always been told washing is necessary. I would love to show him something on this subject because he thinks I'm silly and overprotective. -- MOTHER KNOWS BEST IN TEXAS
DEAR M.K.B.: If seeing it in print will get your son's attention, I'm happy to oblige. Have him try this experiment: The next time he decides to eat a nice, shiny apple, have him soak it for 5 to 10 minutes in water to which several tablespoons of vinegar have been added. This will remove the waxy coating that is usually sprayed on them, and with it any dirt or "little critters" that may have become attached.
Also, periodically on the nightly news we hear announcements of FDA recalls because of salmonella or E. coli that has been discovered on various vegetables. Although some are packaged as ready-to-eat, they, too, should be rinsed before using. Consider it "health insurance."