How to Remove Pesticides From Fruits and Vegetables Pesticides might be present in fruits and vegetables we eat. They are primarily used during the cultivation of crops. The source for pesticide residues in our food could be through the application of pesticides on crops, with residues remaining in the fruits and vegetables or through the application of pesticides in homes to disinfect. Pesticide residues, once in our system can be the cause for several acute and chronic diseases. So removing the pesticides, as much as we can, is the first step forward. As consumers we do not have any control on the pesticides that is sprayed on fruits and vegetables in the farms but there are some quick do-it-yourself techniques that can help us get rid of the residues to a large extent. Learning how to rid your produce of pesticide residue is vital to a healthful diet and a healthy body. Here are some simple steps which should be adopted by every household to remove the pesticide residual contamination. Tips for Cleaning Fruits and Veggies Combine the ingredients below in a large bowl. 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon baking soda / Turmeric Powder, 2 tablespoons lemon Stir the mixture and then transfer it to a spray bottle. Spray on fruits and vegetables. Allow the mixture to sit for about five minutes. Rinse it off with water. Washing fruits and vegetables with water The first step in the removal of pesticide residues from the food products is washing. Washing with 2% of salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the vegetables and fruits. About 75-80% of pesticide reduces are removed by cold water washing. The pesticide residues that are on the surface of fruits like grapes, apples, guava, plums, mangoes, peaches and pears and fruity vegetables like tomatoes, brinjal and okra require two to three washings. The green leafy vegetables must be washed thoroughly. The pesticide residues from green leafy vegetables are removed satisfactorily by normal processing such as washing blanching and cooking. A short treatment in hot water or steam applied to most of the vegetables. Certain pesticide residues can effectively be removed by blanching. But before blanching it is very important to thoroughly pre-wash the vegetables and fruits. Vinegar Soak Whip up a solution with 10 percent white vinegar and 90 percent water and soak your veggies and fruits in them. Stir them around and rinse thoroughly. Peel the skin off fruits and vegetables when possible. Treat your vegetables to warm water for a short while and this should remove any leftover residue. Peeling is another efficient way to remove residue and comes highly recommended especially when there might be some residue in the crevices of the fruit. Also, when cooking with chicken or meat, cut off the excess fat and skin as it could have absorbed unwanted pesticide residue. Pressure cooking, frying and baking will remove pesticide residues from the animal fat tissues. Boiling of milk at elevated temperatures will destroy the persistent pesticide residues. It is important to invest some time in preparing your food, as you don’t want to end up consuming a portion of toxins with your snack. Buy organic fruits and vegetables when possible to avoid pesticide residue or Grow your own fruits and vegetables. When produce comes out of your own garden or back yard, you know exactly what you are putting into your body. We hope you’ll try the solution above to clean all fruits and vegetables.
