Experts advise thorough water rinse, optional vinegar‑baking soda mix for safe strawberries

Strawberries are a popular summer fruit but are known to accumulate high levels of pesticide residues due to their porous surface. Health authorities in the United States, including the CDC and FDA, recommend washing strawberries only with cold running water, rubbing each berry with the hands and avoiding any detergents, soaps, or chemical solutions that could be absorbed by the fruit.

Some Spanish‑language food‑and‑cleaning specialists suggest a supplemental method that uses a small amount of baking soda and apple‑cider vinegar in a water bath. The mixture creates a brief effervescent reaction that they say helps dislodge bacteria and residual chemicals, after which the berries are rinsed thoroughly with cold water. While the vinegar‑baking‑soda approach is promoted as an extra precaution, official U.S. guidance does not consider it necessary and warns that any added chemicals may be inadvertently ingested.

Both sources agree that strawberries should be washed just before consumption and stored dry to prevent mold growth, and they highlight the fruit’s nutritional benefits such as high vitamin C and low calorie content.