How long should each piece of produce be rinsed under water?

Rinsing each piece of produce under water for 3-5 seconds is considered an effective duration to remove dirt, bacteria, and pesticide residues. This time frame allows for enough contact with water to adequately cleanse the surface of fruits and vegetables, which may have contaminants from handling or from agricultural practices. A longer rinse, such as 5-7 seconds, might be effective but can lead to unnecessary water waste and isn't always necessary for the average produce item. Similarly, rinsing for 1-2 seconds is often too brief to ensure a thorough cleaning, and a 10-second rinse, although it might be effective in certain situations, is generally excessive for standard rinsing purposes. Therefore, the 3-5 second duration strikes a suitable balance between efficiency and thoroughness, making it the recommended practice for rinsing produce before consumption.