How to Remove Pesticide Residues from Fruits and Vegetables?

Turmeric Water

Turmeric water is an ultimate and safe solution for removing pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables. It also helps to reduce the tendency of food-borne diseases by stopping microbes growth.

You should soak vegetables and fruits in turmeric water for around 15 minutes before cutting and chopping. Then wash them 2-3 times with plain cold water.

HOW TO MAKE TURMERIC WATER

The ratio of water and turmeric is 1000:1. It means if you require 1 litre water for soaking vegetables, you require 1 gram (1000 mg) of turmeric powder.

1. Take lukewarm water as per the required amount.
2. Add turmeric powder according to the ratio recommended above.
3. Mix it thoroughly.
4. Put vegetables or fruits in this turmeric water.
5. Leave it for around 15 minutes.
6. Then discard the turmeric water.
7. Then rinse vegetables and fruits with plain water 2 -3 times. It helps to remove the contaminants.
8. You should always prepare turmeric water fresh to other soak vegetables and fruits.

You can also use this water for washing the wound before applying any antiseptic oil or cream (e.g. Jatyadi Oil).

BENEFITS OF TURMERIC WATER

1. Remove Pesticide Residue from the vegetables and fruits when soaked in it for 15 minutes.
2. Useful in cleansing the wounds.

REFERENCE

1. Bajwa U, Sandhu KS. Effect of handling & processing on pesticide residues in food. J Food Sci Technol. 2014;51(2):201-220. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0499-5
2. Gupta A (2006) Pesticide residue in food commodities. Agrobios (India).

How to Use Turmeric Water

1. Take a big container and Prepare turmeric water as described in the article: How to Make Turmeric Water.
2. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water.
3. Soak washed fruits and vegetables in Turmeric Water for around 15 minutes.
4. Wash fruits and vegetables again 2-3 times under running water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is also useful for removing pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables. It is a little expensive method because you need to use 3 parts of water and 1 part of apple cider vinegar to remove pesticide residues.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Take a big container and Prepare Apple Cider Vinegar solution adding 3 parts of water and 1 part of Apple Cider Vinegar.
2. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water.
3. Soak washed fruits and vegetables in  Apple Cider Vinegar solution for around 15 minutes.
4. Wash fruits and vegetables again 2-3 times under running water.

Reference

1. Bajwa U, Sandhu KS. Effect of handling & processing on pesticide residues in food. J Food Sci Technol. 2014;51(2):201-220. doi:10.1007/s13197-011-0499-5
2. Gupta A (2006) Pesticide residue in food commodities. Agrobios (India).
3. How to Make Turmeric Water.