Is it enough to keep a sprayed apple under the tap before you eat it? And how harmful is it for your health if you don’t?
The vast majority of pesticides are on the outside of the fruit or vegetables, so on the skin. “It can sometimes happen that low concentrations of these substances end up in the flesh. But that happens so rarely and in such low concentrations that you don’t have to worry about that,” says Martin van den Berg, emeritus professor toxicology at Utrecht University.
Fruit and vegetables are only sprayed with pesticides approved by the EU. “And before a zucchini or tomato ends up on your plate, time has gone over it,” Van den Berg explains. This waiting time is intended to reduce the concentration of these agents. “That what was sprayed on it is broken down under the influence of light and moisture, and that takes time. But there will always be remains.”
What effect it has if you take a bite from an apple where that is the case is carefully investigated, says Jolanda Wijsmuller. She is a specialist organic crop protection at Bayer Crop Science Nederland, part of the market leader in plant protection products. Standards have been established to determine what quantities a person can eat without having an effect in the short or long term, Wijsmuller explains.
That is first tested with laboratory animals. “Then the translation is made from animal to human.” In this way it is prevented that getting into the remains of pesticides can have an effect on your health. Perhaps it is reassured that the remains that, for example, have a zucchini must meet a trade standard, Wijsmuller adds. “That trade standard is almost always much and much lower than the health standard.”
Not enough to just rinse your fruit
That is good to know, because it is not to prevent you from getting something occasionally, Van den Berg knows. But that, as said, is not immediately problematic. If you are afraid of that, he recommends peeling your fruit and vegetables. Yet that is not always a solution, because with a cauliflower or broccoli, for example, you don’t have that choice.
Washing under the tap is also possible. And then don’t rinse for a while, but really keep it under running water for a long time and with your hands, says Van den Berg. “The more water you use, the more you get off. But really 100 percent clean you will not get it. To get it done, you will have to brush with gas, but I am guessing that this is not what you want either.”
Washing fruit and vegetables has another advantage
And cooking your vegetables in water also helps, tips toxicology. “The hotter the water, the better pesticides dissolve.” Another advantage of washing your fruit and vegetables is that it also helps infections with Salmonella or Listeria, among other things. For that too, according to the Nutrition Center, it is enough to rinse your tomatoes under the tap, for example.
“Vegetables that are pre -packed must also be washed. Unless it says that it has already been washed, as with pre -cut lettuce.” The Nutrition Center also recommends washing sprouts and fresh herbs, because they can also contain pathogens.
All in all, you don’t have to fear for your health. By washing well, you prevent any leftover pesticides from ending up in your food. And in this way you also rinse any bacteria off. If you are still worried, you can opt for organic products. Certain pesticides are permitted with biological cultivation, but they must be of natural origin.
Is it Sufficient to letter lly hold a sprayed apple under the tap before eating it? And how harmful is it to your health if you don’t?
The Vast Majority of Pesticides Are On The Outside of the Fruit Or Vegetable, So On The Peel. “It can sometimes happen that low concentrations of thesis substances end up in the pulp. But that happens so rarely and in Such Low concentrations that you don’t have to worry about it,” Says Martin van den Berg, emeritus professor of toxicology.
Vegetables and fruit are only sprayed with EU approved pesticides. “And before a zucchini or tomato ends up on your plate, time has passed,” van den Berg Explains. This Waiting Time is intended to reduce the concentration of these agents. “What is sprayed on it is broken down under the influence of light and moisture, and that takes time. But there will always be residues.”
Jolanda Wijsmuller Says That The Effect of Taking a Bite from an Apple when this is the case is carefully investigated. She is a specialist in Biological Crop Protection at Bayer Crop Science Netherlands, Part of the Market Leader in Crop Protection Products. Standards have leg set to determine what quantities a person can eat it having a short-term or long-term effect, Wijsmuller explains.
This is first tested on laboratory animals. “Then the translation is made from animal to human.” This Prevents The Ingion of Pesticide Residues From Having An Effect On Your Health. It may be reassuring that the residues that remain on, for example, a zucchini must comply with a trade standard, adds wijsmuller. “That Trade Standard is Almost Always Much, Much Lower Than The Health Standard.”
Not Enough to Just Rinse Your Fruit
That is good to know, because it cannot be prevention that you will occasionally omething, van den Berg Knows. But as mentioned, that is not direct problematic. If you are afraid of that, he advises peeling your vegetables and fruit. However, that is not always a solution, because you do not have that choice with, for example, a cauliflower or broccoli.
Washing under the tap is also Possible. And not just rinsing briefly, but really holding it under running water for a long time and scrubbing it with your hands, says van den berg. “The more water you use, the more you get off. But you still won 100 percent clean. To achieve that, you will have to polish with gasoline, but I guess that is not what you want either.”
Washing Fruits and Vegetables has Another Advantage
And cooking your vegetables in water also Helps, advises the professor of toxicology. “The hotter the water, The Better Pesticides Dissolve.” Another Advantage of Washing Your Fruits and Vegetables is that it also Helps Prevent Infections with, Among Other Things, Salmonella or Listeria. Accordance to the Nutrition Center, IT is also Sufficient for this to Rinse Your Tomatoes Under The Tap, For Example.
“Vegetables that are pre-packaged must also be washed. Unless it says it has already leg washed, such as with pre-cut lettuce.” The Nutrition Center Further Advisory Washing Sprouted Vegetables and Fresh Herbs, because they can also contain Pathogens.
All in all, you don’t have to worry about your health. By Washing Well, you prevent any pesticide residues from ending up in your food. And you also rinse off any bacteria in this way. If you are still worried, you can opt for organic products. Certain pesticides are permitted in organic cultivation, but they must be or natural origin.