Jakarta –
Recently there has been a stir over the discovery that Shine Muscat grapes in Thailand contain pesticide residues. To avoid this, here are 4 tips for removing pesticides from fruit.
The Thai government announced the discovery of pesticide residues in Shine Muscat grapes on the market. Some 50 types of chemicals were found to exceed safe limits, while others did not fall within local chemical content regulations.
Seeing this case, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) tightened quarantine supervision. Barantin ensures that all plant commodities entering Indonesia have complied with quarantine procedures in accordance with food safety regulations.
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In fact, not only imported fruit, locally cultivated fruit may still contain pesticide residues. Pesticide residues can be removed with the following tips:
1. Peel the fruit
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Some types of fruit can be eaten with the skin, such as apples. However, for imported apples, it might be a good idea to peel them first before consuming them.
Based on a study by the National Library of Medicine, the most practical and effective way to remove pesticide residue on certain fruit is to peel the skin of the fruit.
2. Wash under running water
Even if you don’t plan to eat the fruit with the skin, you should wash the fruit with running water. Quoting from the Times of India, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends washing your hands with soap first before washing fruit.
After that, place the fruit in a container or filter, then wash it with running water. This method will remove pesticide residue and the fruit washing water will be immediately wasted.
3. Soak with baking soda
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Research from the University of Massachusetts found that most pesticides are unstable in alkaline solutions. They suggest using a baking soda solution which has been proven to reduce pesticide residues by up to 90 percent.
You simply prepare a container filled with water, then mix it with baking soda. After that, soak the fruit or vegetables for 15 minutes.
4. Use vinegar
Apart from baking soda, another way to remove pesticides from fruit is to soak it in a vinegar solution.
Dissolve vinegar in water in a ratio of 1:3. For 1 part vinegar, mix with 3 parts water. Soak the fruit for 5-10 minutes to ensure bacteria is killed and any pesticide residue is removed.
This article was published on CNN Indonesia with the title “Exciting about Shine Muscat Grapes, Here’s How to Get Rid of Pesticides on Fruit“
(adr/adr)
