Question: Do you have to wash an organic apple?

I was eating an organic Granny Smith the other day, and as I ran it under the tap, I wondered if I really had to.

My mom raised me to wash my fruits and veggies — excepting things like bananas, of course — but my dad was always of the opinion that an apple just needed to be “shined up” or polished, preferably on one’s jeans.

Seeing as how an organic apple wasn’t grown with any pesticides or other chemicals, it wouldn’t be necessary to wash them off. Normally, apples are among the worst offenders, too! But an “organic” designation should solve that issue.

On the other hand, though, you’re not just washing off chemicals; you can also wash off plain old dirt, or dust and other grime. Plus, who knows how many people before you have handled that particular apple, in its journey from the field — and how many of them had coughs or colds.

But on the other hand again, you’re probably handling more bacteria on the shopping cart handle than on the apple when you buy it. Many apples come inside plastic bags, too. And even the ones that are sold loose tend to look clean — grocery stores don’t generally let their merchandise get dusty.

And frankly, a little dirt won’t kill you. Neither will a bit of bacteria. In fact, I’d argue that hypercleanliness is worse for you than letting your body deal with bacteria and viruses the way it’s evolved to. Let your immune system out to play! By the way, your body did not evolve to deal with Javex, Lysol or Purel all over every surface.

So, a few days ago, I ate an organic Granny Smith, and I washed it off out of habit. But last night, I took an organic Granny Smith out of the same bag and ate it straight, no washing. I just shined it up some on my jeans.

I just had one thought, as I picked the “certified organic” sticker off the apple: “What’s in this sticker’s glue? Is it organic?”