TUESDAY TIP: Cleaning your Fruits & Veggies!

I couldn't help but notice this morning, after taking a fabulous bite out of my Fuji Apple, that the skin tasted odd.  I then looked at the skin a little closer and realized there was almost this wax-like chemical on the outside.  I walked over to the sink at work to see if I could scrub it off and wash it some more - only to find I was very unsuccessful and the stuff wouldn't budge.  The substance they put on-top was NOT coming off!  

I decided upon finishing up at work today that I would come home and look into some tips / tricks to figure out "what gives?!", get over my annoyance by having to throw away a perfectly good apple, and figure out what the heck my grocery store is doing....

Did you know that conventionally grown fruits and veggies are often waxed to prevent moisture loss, protect them from bruising during shipping, and increase their shelf life?  

From a SALES perspective, I can see why produce companies and farmers may do this.  From a CONSUMERS perspective, this is nuts in my opinion...  or you should AT LEAST provide your consumers with a SAFE and EFFECTIVE way to CLEAN their produce.  If you don't clean it correctly, you are EATING that wax, which I am sure is NOT good for you.  Isn't that irony in a way?...you purchase something healthy for you, only to discover that the chemical substance they are using to preserve it could be slowly killing you... Great...

So, when purchasing non-organic fruits and veggies, you should ask your grocer about the kind of wax used on their surface even if you are going to peel it.  For instance, I have learned that there are TONS of things out there including (but not limited to): 

- carnauba wax (from the carnauba palm tree) 

- beeswax

- shellac (from the lac beetle) 

NOTE: These waxes are preferable to petroleum-based waxes, which contain solvent residues or wood rosins. 

Yet, it is not just the wax itself that may be of concern but the other compounds often added to it - ethyl alcohol or ethanol for consistency, milk casein (a protein linked to milk allergy) as a film former or soap as a flowing agent.

One SURE way to make sure that you actually remove the wax from non-organic produce is to remove the skin, as washing will not remove the wax or any bacteria trapped beneath it. If you choose to do this, use a peeler that takes only a thin layer of skin, as many healthy vitamins and minerals lie right below the skin.

Organically grown fruits and vegetables do not contain synthetic (petroleum-based) wax coatings. However, certain waxes are permitted in the handling of certified organic fruits and vegetables including shellac (from the lac beetle) and carnauba wax (from carnauba palm). Of course, not all organic growers wax their fruits and vegetables, but if you are trying to avoid all vegetable and fruit waxes, it is recommended that you ask your grocer about the wax status of your produce, even when purchasing organic.

Non-organic fruits and vegetables that are commonly waxed include:

Cucumbers

Bell peppers

Eggplant

Potatoes

Apples

Lemons and Limes

Oranges

I did happen to find a handy way to clean your fruits and veggies without removing the skin however - although, I have personally NOT tried this just yet, but I am curious to take a stab at it this weekend.  Check out this great photo with the cleaner recipe:

So there ya have it!  Be careful with what you put into your body, be smart, and WASH your produce - you never know!

If you have any questions / comments, please don't hesitate to post below or write me a note. :)

Yours in health and happiness, 

Coach Melissa

coachmelissamckim@gmail.com