Fruit Waxing
Other
What do you think about Fruit Waxing and was you aware of this?
What are the Harmful Effects of Eating a Wax-coated Fruits?
The fruit waxes are mixed with additives such as glycerols, lactic acid or acetic acid to adjust the pH of coating material. In addition, the fruit waxes may also contain traces of preservatives, antimicrobial agents, and texture enhancers.
Morpholine is present in most fruit waxes to give thin and even films. The safe dose of morpholine in humans is 4.3ng/kg body weight/day. Repetitive consumption of morpholine as well as some other chemical agents present in fruit waxing can be hazardous to health
The health risks associated with regular consumption of artificially wax coated fruits include,
- Risk of Cancer
Morpholine is used commonly as a solvent and emulsifier in making the wax coatings for fruits and vegetables. Morpholine, by itself, in the doses that are present in fruits and vegetables does not constitute a health risk.
However, inside the body when it comes in contact with nitrate, it forms Nitrosomorpholine (NMOR), a genotoxic carcinogen that poses a risk of liver or kidney cancer.
- Risk of Liver and Kidney Damage
Experts report that on oral and parenteral administration or after inhalation, morpholine is well absorbed and is distributed in the body fluids. Ingestion of morpholine through daily consumption of wax-coated fruits can affect liver and kidney function.
- Allergies
Many edible coatings are made from ingredients that could cause allergic reactions. These allergens include protein substances such as soy, whey protein, casein, and peanut proteins.
It’s really very simple to dramatically reduce any health risks from wax coated fruits (and the risks are tiny anyway, unless you eats loads and loads of wax coated fruit). Anyway, here's how:
- Wipe your fruits with paper towel, then wash and soak your fruits in warm water and scrub the skin with a brush to remove the wax coating
- Buy local fruit from a local farmer or market, and only buy seasonal fruits. Why? Because fruits available off season or that are transported long distances by truck or ship are stored for a longer duration and need to use wax coatings
- If you’re still really bothered, peel the skin off the fruit before you eat it. Very simple with bananas and oranges, use a knife for apples and pears.
- Grow your own
UK Farmers markets are not always honest buying their fruit and vegetables from suppliers that sell waxed fruits and vegetables to supermarkets.
zerocenturyzero If the fruits are waxed and the market seller pretends they are not, he won’t be in business very long.
Successful market trading of fruit and veg relies on repeat business from loyal customers.
Once bitten twice shy!
I didnt read all of this so sorry if I mispoke.
This doesnt bother me because I peel all fruits before I eat them. Don't like skin except on grapes.
zerocenturyzero and a lot of wax it seems. Haha I'll stick to peeling my fruit lol
GlitchHunter The wax can be very toxic and most of it does not come off. I boil the kettle and pour it on my Apple after a few minutes you can see the wax.
I wash mine in warm water before me and my family eat them. I never used to do this until I saw a video pop up on my Facebook news feed and was shocked 
i have to peel almost all fruit for my kids so its not an issue here and i always wash and scrub fruits i eat myself before eating anyway
It's always sensible to wash fruit before you eat it, not least of all, to get rid of possible pesticide residue. I've always scrubbed waxed fruit with cold water as I was told warm would allow absorption of the nasties through the skin and into the fruit - I accept that times and opinions change though. This does beg the question - How many schools wash the free fruit before it's distributed to the children?
The pesticides absorbs into fruit and vegetables when they are sprayed and when it rains the roots will absorb a lot of the pesticides.
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