Food Safety Tips: Nowadays, there are so many dangerous chemicals on fruits and vegetables that if they are not cleaned properly, they cause harm instead of benefit. With the help of just one trick, you can remove the pesticide on them.
Effective Pesticide Removal Methods: As attractive as the shiny fruits and fresh looking vegetables available in the market may seem, they can also be dangerous. Beneath their shiny surface, traces of pesticides are often hidden, which are used to protect crops from pests during farming. These chemicals are not completely removed by washing with normal water. But it can be removed with the help of just one trick. Just one spoon of baking soda is the cure.
Pesticide residues will be removed from baking soda
According to a research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, soaking apples in a solution of baking soda and water for about 12 to 15 minutes effectively removes the pesticides present on their surface. This simple kitchen ingredient is not only cheap but also safe and eco-friendly.
Why is it important to wash fruits and vegetables properly?
Use of pesticides is common in modern farming, but their residues can prove harmful to health if consumed for a long time. Research shows that pesticide consumption even in small quantities can affect hormonal imbalance, fertility and the nervous system. Therefore, washing fruits and vegetables properly is not only important for hygiene but also for long-term health.
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How does baking soda work?
Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is mild alkaline, which works by a process called “Alkaline Hydrolysis”. Its high pH value helps break down and deactivate common pesticide compounds like organophosphates and carbamates. This mixture removes chemicals from the surface of fruits and vegetables without harming their taste or texture.
Correct way to wash fruits and vegetables
- Prepare the solution: Take 2 cups of water in a bowl and add 1 teaspoon baking soda to it.
- Soak: Soak fruits or vegetables in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes.
- For soft fruits like strawberries or green leafy vegetables, 5 minutes is enough.
- Scrub gently: Scrub hard items like apples, potatoes or cucumbers gently.
- Wash thoroughly: Now wash them with running water to remove baking soda and loose chemicals.
- Keep dry: Dry them with a clean cloth or tissue paper and then store.
This simple method removes most of the pesticides and dirt on the surface of fruits and vegetables, making them cleaner and safer.
If you don’t have baking soda, try this option
Vinegar: Mix one part white vinegar and three parts water and soak for 10 minutes. This reduces bacteria and some pesticides, although the taste may be slightly affected.
Salt water: Mix one teaspoon of salt in one liter of water and wash fruits and vegetables. It helps remove dirt and wax, but does not have much effect on chemical residues.
Peeling or cooking: Peeling or lightly steaming some vegetables also reduces pesticide levels, although the nutrients may be slightly reduced.
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