Make Sure the Fresh Produce You Feed Your Family is Safe! Here’s How to Remove Pesticides in Food
In an ideal world, everyone would be able to buy organic food. Food grown totally without artificial pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
In the real world, even food labelled as organic may not be as ideal as we think (in some countries the “organic” concept has been dumbed down a little, to make it easier for businesses).
So unless you can buy organic fresh produce all the time (and even if you can), there still may be chemical residues from pesticides and more in your food.
So, how can you remove pesticides from food, so that you know you’re not ingesting any nasties along with your yummy, healthy fresh produce?
Some research from the University of Massachusetts shows that it could be easier than you think to remove pesticides from food. Read on to find out how.
Recommendations
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), apples that have been sprayed with synthetic insecticides should be washed for two minutes in a bleach solution.
Hmmm. I can’t say that I’m particularly keen on using bleach on my food, no matter how watered down.
However, that’s what happens to a lot of apples – for example, most apples sold in US supermarkets are washed in bleach before they hit the shelves.
But wait – the bleach wash gets rid of bacteria and dirt, which is great, but pesticides.remain. Yikes!
So, if bleach doesn’t work, then how can you remove the pesticides in food?
What They Tested in the Research
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts wanted to find out the best way to remove the residual pesticides in food. They tested apples, using only items that people could easily and cheaply have in their homes.
They soaked apples in 3 different solutions, to see which was best:
- In bleach and water
- In baking soda and water
- In water
And then, after soaking them, they tested the apples for residues of pesticides that are commonly used on non-organic apples.
And guess what? The baking soda and water combination was the most effective!
After just two minutes, the solution had washed away more of the pesticides than the other two washes.
That’s a great recommendation for the power of baking soda, isn’t it?
And it’s a wonderfully green and eco friendly solution too! It’s safe for you AND the planet.
Properly Removing Pesticides in Food
It’s great to know that one of my favourite products baking soda, which is so great all over the house, is also good for removing pesticide residues from apples.
However, be aware of this too:
Researchers found that it took a 12 to 15 minute submersion in the baking soda and water to completely get rid of the pesticides.
After soaking, rinse in water to remove any taste of the baking soda if you wish.
How Much To Use?
The researchers suggest a ratio of one teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of water (about 500ml).
Another Recommendation
The researchers also recommend that you should clean your fresh produce as soon as you bring it home. Why? Because the longer the pesticides sit on the apples, the deeper they will be absorbed.
What About Fresh Produce That Shouldn’t be Washed?
This soaking method may help to minimize the pesticide on other produce, too.
Produce that shouldn’t be washed immediately before you eat it — like berries or mushrooms — can benefit from the baking soda and water solution, but only soak them for a couple of minutes, as they can’t handle any longer.
Summary: How To Remove Pesticides in Food
The research was carried out on apples, but it’s likely that this process will also work well with other fresh produce. Here’s what to do:
- Clean produce as soon as you bring it home (so the pesticide residues don’t have longer contact with the produce).
- Soak the produce for 12 to 15 minutes in baking soda and water – 1 teaspoon baking soda to 2 cups (500ml) of water. (Soak berries and mushrooms for only a couple of minutes).
- Rinse briefly so you won’t taste the baking soda if you wish, and then store as normal.
Now you and your family can enjoy healthy and safe fresh produce!
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What do you do to get rid of the nasties on fresh produce? Let me know in the Comments below.
Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download your free green living handbook “Live Well, Live Green” here.
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