Ryan says....
Briskly rubbing fruit and veggies with your hands under cold tap water is effective in removing most dirt and surface micro-organisms. Never use detergents or bleach, as produce is porous and will absorb the chemicals. You can buy all-natural, veggie-wash sprays in most major grocery stores. The sprays remove wax, soil, chemicals and pesticides, but nothing is 100-percent guaranteed. Make friends with local farmers who have good, sustainable practices and buy directly from them when you can. You should also prepare produce on a separate surface than the cutting board you use for raw meat. And remember, if something looks bad, it probably is, so don’t put it in your mouth!

Ryan Jennings' latest book is called Entertaining with Booze (Whitecap Books). For recipes, cocktails and tips, visit cookingwithbooze.com. Send Ryan your foodie questions here.