Shopping for Groceries? Here are 4 Ways to Minimise Pesticide Residues on Your Non-Organic Farm Produce
by Adrian Martin
Today, a significant number of consumers are concerned about purchasing groceries due to the pesticide residue scare. They are worried about exposing their families to these harmful elements despite the strict food regulations being implemented globally. Currently, there isn't any solid evidence proving that consumption of the small amounts pesticides found in farm produce can cause long-term health effects. However, fruit- or vegetable-rich diets help minimise chronic diseases — a major reason why they shouldn't be avoided.
While there is little evidence that proves the adverse effects of pesticide residue exposure for the general population, you can't be certain that they're safe. Since buying organic farm produce isn't an option for most households, there are various measures of minimising exposure to pesticide residues. Continue reading to learn how.
Wash All Farm Produce with Running Water
You can easily reduce pesticide residue by washing your groceries with running water. Place all produce under cold, running water for 30 seconds or more. Using produce washes or vinegar-based solutions may help eradicate surface bacteria. However, cold water is the best solution to get rid of pesticide residues.
Always remember to scrub the surfaces of your groceries with a soft brush or hands to eliminate excess pesticide deposits. Furthermore, always wash your fruits even when you plan to peel them before consumption. That way, you'll minimise the chances of pesticide residue transfer to the fruits while peeling.
Use a Paper Towel to Dry Your Groceries
After washing your fruits and vegetables, it'll be better to use a paper towel to dry them. Rubbing the paper towel on produce surfaces causes friction, which in turn helps remove unwanted pesticides.
Always Peel Your Fruits and Vegetables Where Necessary
Some fruits and vegetables contain thick outer skins. It's thus wise to always peel them. Additionally, remember to get rid of the outer layers from your cabbage or lettuce since pesticide residues lodge themselves on these outer skins. Peeling helps eliminate a large percentage of residues from your groceries.
Consider Eating a Wide Variety of Fruits and Vegetables
Finally, most nutritionists will encourage you to consume different fruits and vegetables. That's not only a prudent idea to guarantee an extensive array of nutrient consumption, but also excellent in helping you reduce single pesticide residue exposure.
Farmers use different pesticides on various crops to combat different pests. As a result, eating a wide variety of veggies and fruits helps reduce over-exposure to a specific pesticide.
For more information about pesticide residue, contact a food safety service.
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About Me
Welcome to my blog. My name is Daniel, and about ten years ago, I received a call that my grandmother was very ill. At that time, I didn't have a family yet, and my job wasn't something I loved. I dropped everything and went to the old family farm to help. Luckily, my grandma got better, but I stayed because my grandfather was starting to struggle to do many of the things he needed to do as a farmer. I slowly began to take the farm over, something I had always wanted to do, but I also helped my grandfather stay involved for as long as possible. Now, I want to help others by making a blog of the strategies and modifications we used. I hope you like this blog!