System For Cleaning Fresh And Fresh-Cut Produce

The system for cleaning fresh and freshly-cut produce is designed to clean produce as soon as practicable after the produce is cut. As the produce falls downwardly, a spray manifold directs a produce-washing liquid upwardly so that the produce-washing liquid directly sprays and impacts the falling produce. The impact of the produce-washing liquid causes the produce to tumble and the descent of the produce is slowed, and consequently the produce is thoroughly coated and cleaned by the produce-washing liquid. In an alternative embodiment, a suspending fluid (preferably air) is simultaneously directed to the falling produce to slow the descent of the produce and further ensure that the produce is thoroughly washed and directly sprayed by the produce-washing liquid.