{"id":836,"date":"2012-09-21T21:17:31","date_gmt":"2012-09-22T01:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gobeyondorganic.com\/?p=836"},"modified":"2012-09-21T21:17:31","modified_gmt":"2012-09-22T01:17:31","slug":"is-wax-on-produce-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gobeyondorganic.com\/is-wax-on-produce-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Wax On Produce Safe?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wax was first applied to the skins of fruits and vegetables for longer shelf life hundreds of years ago. \u00a0Today, that tradition has drastically changed with a new generation of chemicals and compounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you buy non-organic produce from the grocery store, you are getting additional chemical coatings. \u00a0The FDA admits that these edible coatings have been associated with a number of problems<\/em>, ” [Produce coatings] \u00a0can result in tissue destruction and the production of substances that contribute to off-flavors and off-odors, as well as the potential for growth of foodborne pathogens such as Clostridium botulinum.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

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To combat the growth of foodborne pathogens<\/em>, antimicrobial agents are added, such as: “…metal ions supported in zeolite, silver-based fungicide, quaternary ammonium salt, organic monoglycerides, copper and zinc, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and potassium sorbate and propionic acid.” The list goes on….
\nThese are in the plastic containers in which the produce is placed then filled with nitrogen and sealed, as well as in plastic films sprayed directly on the food.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The FDA explains:<\/em> \u201cEdible biodegradable coatings are yet another variant of the smart film technology, where a film is used as a coating and applied directly on the food. In the last 30 years, edible films and coatings made from a variety of compounds have been reported.\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Basically farmers spray a substance on fresh produce, which forms a thin film, so that oxygen levels can be limited, which slows down the ripening process. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The list of ingredience used by farmers is a very long list but here is a few of the basic materials.<\/strong><\/p>\n