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Sodium Bicarbonate for Washing Fruits and Vegetables

To wash fruits and vegetables with baking soda, dissolve about 10 g of sodium bicarbonate (roughly 2 teaspoons) in 1 liter of water, soak the produce for 12-15 minutes, then rinse it well under running water. A baking soda soak removes dirt and part of the pesticide residues on the surface of produce more effectively than plain water.

Pars Baking Soda Group manufactures sodium bicarbonate in Iran for home use and for the food industry. Our household baking soda comes in 1 kg and 3 kg packs for distributors, and our food grade sodium bicarbonate (E500ii) is supplied in bulk to food processors in Russia, Central Asia, and neighboring markets.

Washing fruits with sodium bicarbonate

How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables with Baking Soda

A simple 4-step method based on published research on baking soda produce washes.

1

Mix the Solution

Dissolve about 10 g of baking soda (roughly 2 teaspoons) in 1 liter of cool water. This makes an approximately 1% sodium bicarbonate solution.

2

Soak for 12-15 Minutes

Submerge the produce completely. Firm fruits and vegetables can soak for 12-15 minutes. Soft berries and leafy greens need only a few minutes.

3

Scrub Firm Produce

Gently scrub firm produce such as apples, cucumbers, carrots and potatoes with a clean brush to remove soil and surface residues.

4

Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse everything under running water to remove the baking soda solution, then dry with a clean towel. Wash produce just before eating, not before storage.

Does Baking Soda Remove Pesticides?

Partly. In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that soaking apples in a 1% baking soda solution for 12-15 minutes removed surface residues of two common pesticides more effectively than tap water or a dilute bleach wash.

The same study showed that pesticides that had already penetrated the peel were not removed by washing. Baking soda is a useful way to reduce surface residues and dirt, but it does not make produce completely residue-free.

Safety tips: Never use soap, detergent or bleach to wash produce. Always rinse after soaking, and store washed produce in the refrigerator if you do not eat it right away.

Washing Guide by Type of Produce

Different fruits and vegetables need different handling.

Produce Examples Soak time Tip
Firm fruits and vegetables Apples, pears, cucumbers, peppers 12-15 minutes Scrub with a brush, then rinse.
Root vegetables Carrots, potatoes, beets 12-15 minutes Scrub well to remove soil.
Leafy greens and herbs Lettuce, spinach, parsley 2-5 minutes Separate the leaves and swish gently.
Soft fruits and berries Strawberries, grapes, cherries 1-2 minutes Wash just before eating, as they spoil quickly when wet.

Sodium Bicarbonate Supply for Retail and Food Processing

Pars Baking Soda Group manufactures sodium bicarbonate in its plants in Mashhad and Shiraz for home use and for the food industry.

HOUSEHOLD GRADE→

Household Baking Soda for Distributors

1 kg and 3 kg consumer packs for wholesalers, retail chains and importers. A multi-purpose product for cleaning, cooking and washing produce at home.

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FOOD GRADE→

Food Grade Sodium Bicarbonate (E500ii)

Bulk food grade sodium bicarbonate for food manufacturers and processors, produced under ISO 22000 and GMP, with a COA available.

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Export Markets

We welcome inquiries from distributors, importers and food companies in:

Russia
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Iraq
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Turkey
UAE

Frequently Asked Questions

How much baking soda should I use per liter of water to wash vegetables?

About 10 g of baking soda (roughly 2 teaspoons) per liter of water, which makes an approximately 1% solution.

How long should fruits soak in baking soda water?

Firm fruits and vegetables can soak for 12-15 minutes. Leafy greens need 2-5 minutes, and soft berries only 1-2 minutes.

Is baking soda or vinegar better for washing fruit?

Research on pesticide residues has mainly tested baking soda, which removed surface residues better than plain water. Vinegar is more often used against bacteria. Whichever you use, always rinse produce with running water afterward.

Does washing with baking soda change the taste of fruit?

Not if you rinse well. A thorough rinse under running water removes the baking soda solution.

Do you supply baking soda in bulk or retail packs?

Yes. Pars Baking Soda Group supplies household baking soda in 1 kg and 3 kg packs and food grade sodium bicarbonate in bulk, and welcomes inquiries from distributors and importers in Russia, Central Asia and neighboring countries.

Looking for a Baking Soda Supplier?

Tell us the product, pack size, quantity and destination country you need. Contact Pars Baking Soda Group for wholesale pricing and export supply.

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