Toxic pesticides on YOUR supermarket apples may NOT be removed with water
Simply washing an apple, or polishing it on your t-shirt, isn’t enough to get rid of , scientists have claimed. Pesticides are used to increase the amount of crops harvested by farmers.
But, some of the pesticides could remain on fruit when people buy them from the supermarket. They can cause dizziness, vomiting, headaches, itching and anorexia.
The best way to make sure all of the toxic substances are removed from apples before eating them is to soak them in baking soda and water for 15 minutes.
“This study gives us the information that the standard post-harvest washing method using bleach solution for two minutes is not an effective means to completely remove pesticide residues on the surface of apples,” said the researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
“In practical application, washing apples with baking soda solution can reduce pesticides mostly from the surface.” But, using baking soda to clean apples might not get rid of all the harmful chemicals, they added.
Some of the pesticides can work their way deeper into the apple’s skin, making it harder to get rid of them. “Peeling is more effective to remove the penetrated pesticides.”.
As part of the study, the researchers compared how much pesticide was removed from three separate apples when they were soaked in baking soda, water and bleach. The apples were left to soak after they were exposed to pesticides for 24 hours.
They found that soaking the in baking soda for between 12 and 15 minutes was the best way to clean the apple as best as possible.
The pesticides, which are used in the US, most likely to be found on apples include thiabendazole and phosmet.
Before peeling, cutting or eating fresh fruit and vegetables, it’s recommended to wash hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Wash all produce under running, drinking water before peeling.
Only scrub vegetables that have a tough peel that won’t be bruised, including carrots, cucumbers and squash.   Using bleach or soaps to wash the produce isn’t recommended, as the chemicals could soak into the produce.
