answer:The problem with fruits and vegetables is, among other things, residual petroleum-based chemicals on the surface. You really don’t want these in your system. Another thing to think about is the lack of, or rudimentary toilet facilities available to fruit and vegetable pickers in the field. I’ve yet to see a port-a-potty with facilities for handwashing. I don’t think vinegar will have an effect upon the petroleum-based chemicals, and it will have questionable effect on the various germs trapped in the oils of workers hands, which can include E. coli. Then there is further handling from field to store. I know for a fact that passively soaking these edibles in vinegar water will not remove organo-phosphates, a family of chemicals designed to destroy the central nervous systems of agricultural pests, which builds up over time to toxic levels in the fat of mammals.The use of these chemicals is being discouraged in the States, but is still being used on produce imported from other countries. What is needed is luke-warm water, soap to cut the oils, and light agitation – much like handwashing. Simply wash the fruits and vegetables in warm, soapy water and rinse well when you bring them into the house. I wouldn’t trust passive soaking to do the job at all.