Fruit and vegetable wash

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/fruit-and-vegetable-wash

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the formulation components?Primarily mild surfactants, sometimes with acids, bases, or chelating agents
2. What is the mechanism of action?Emulsification and suspension of contaminants (wax, pesticides, soil) via amphipathic surfactant molecules
3. Why do we need a special wash instead of just water?Water alone can’t fully lift oily wax or pesticide spots. The wash has surfactants that grab those spots and carry them away. This gives us cleaner, safer produce.
4. How does the wash work on a chemical level?The surfactants have a water-loving part and an oil-loving part. The oil part sticks to wax or pesticide, while the water part lets it dissolve into the rinse water. This makes the contaminants fall off the fruit.

Amphipathic Molecules: Molecules with both water-attracting and water-repelling properties, essential for cleaning.
Post-Harvest Treatments: Methods applied to produce after harvesting to preserve quality and extend shelf life.