If we think about it........ do we really know if the plumbing lines used to clean produce at the food processors are free of bacteria.....that has been my thought of late. Cold water, cold water plumbing lines, are suppose to be, to a great degree, free(er) from bacteria.
So when they say "fully washed and ready to eat".....can we really be sure that it is free of bacteria. Personally I don't think so...but who knows for sure.????? So we find ourselves doing what is comfortable for ourselves and what we feel is a best practice for ourselves to keep ourselves strong and healthy. So I guess, as an example, one rinses and shreds ones own cabbage, carrots etc. to make cole slaw..... I know I find myself peeling just about everything that I can peel thinking the outside of certain foods would have a greater chance of having the "bad stuff" on it and peeling eliminates it..and before peeling I rinse the outside and then cold water rinse the utensil that I used to cut or peel it before I use to cut the item further. One almost has to be obssessive compulsive with our wanting to be careful. Who knows for sure???? If not peeled I sure rinse it and hope that is good enough. I haven't done the vinegar/water wash AS YET.
Again, in all that we must do for ourselves it is and it can be very time consuming. Probably each of us decides what we will or won't do and then in some respects cross our fingers. HA!
Barbara