Washing food before you eat it may sound like a good idea, but that’s not always true.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Registered dietitian Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD gives these guidelines for food safety.
Learn more about our editorial process.
If the flakes are undisturbed, pristine white and come from the top layer, it’s typically safe to indulge in a scoop
Color, texture, smell and expiration date all hold important clues
Warning: A popular TikTok hack to extend the life of avocados could lead to food poisoning
Not all processed foods are bad, but the fewer the ingredients, the better
Here’s why you need to throw out that fuzzy fruit or blue bread
A guide to cooking or ordering in a restaurant
The great food storage debate
Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity
A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses
Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey