What to do to remove pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits?

Washing alone cannot completely clean fruits and vegetables. Some pesticide residues remain on the surface of the fruits and vegetables. The only way to clean them is to peel them.

Accordingly, a group of Chinese researchers have published detailed results of experiments to prove that pesticides can still remain on food after washing.

 Washing alone cannot remove all pesticides. (Illustration: Getty).

They designed a process for monitoring pesticides on fruits and vegetables using nano-cellulose and nano-silver membranes (NWCM-Ag) and found that washing alone did not remove all pesticides.

Using NWCM-Ag scanning techniques, the research team concluded that pesticides can penetrate through the peel to the pulp and the only way to reduce pesticide contamination is to peel the peel.

The study is part of a food safety initiative that educates consumers on how to protect their health. The researchers say that thorough washing was previously recommended to remove pesticides, but now they suggest peeling the fruit to remove most of the residue.

The study's results also echo findings from a May 2024 Consumer Reports study that found 20 percent of 59 fruits and vegetables had significant levels of pesticide residues, based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2022 Pesticide Data Program Annual Report found that 99% of foods tested contained pesticide residues within acceptable levels. However, Consumer Reports said the levels set by government agencies are too high.

Ignoring legal regulations about what levels are safe or allowed, you may find that washing with water cannot remove all pesticide residues, and the decision is up to you whether to peel or not before eating.