Study Reveals Washing Fruit Isn't Enough to Remove Pesticide Residues: Peeling Is More Effective

A recent study has confirmed that simply washing fruit is not enough to remove toxic chemicals and pesticide residues sprayed by farmers.

The study, published in Nano Letters, a journal of the American Chemical Society, highlighted the ongoing health risks posed by pesticides, noting that washing fruits does not eliminate them entirely. There is a significant possibility that individuals are consuming these contaminated products daily.

The study aimed to share a technique designed to help detect pesticides in food products, but it also demonstrated that washing fruits is insufficient when it comes to removing these harmful chemicals. According to the study, "cleaning processes do not fully eliminate pesticides from fruit."

Researchers observed pesticide contamination in apples, noting that pesticides had penetrated the skin and reached the flesh of the fruit. However, when the skin and outer layers of the flesh were removed, the contamination significantly decreased.

Dong Dong Yi, a professor at Anhui Agricultural University and the study's author, suggested that people might want to consider peeling fruit instead of becoming alarmed. The study proposes that peeling fruit can effectively remove pesticide residues, unlike frequent washing.

The study concluded that "the risk of consuming pesticides from fruit cannot be avoided by simple washing, but peeling the fruit can effectively eliminate them, though it may reduce the fruit's nutritional value."