Fruits and vegetables sold at the grocery store is treated with wax.
As you can see in the Whole Foods photo, the three common types of waxes used which are plant-based, insect-based, and synthetic or petroleum based. Some waxes contain or are used in combination with fungicides.
The USDA allows wax on the following produce items below 👇🏾
apples
avocados
cucumbers
eggplant
grapefruit
lemons
limes
melons
oranges
peaches
pineapples
plums
parsnips
peppers
pumpkins
squash
tomatoes
sweet potatoes
passion fruit
turnips
zucchini
Here are three ways to remove the wax.
1. Add 1/2-1 cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water and let the produce sit for 10 minutes before using a cloth or veggie brush.
2. Dip a cloth in vinegar and then firmly brush the produce.
3. Place 1/2-1 cup of vinegar into water that is just below boiling (180 degreed faranheit) and let the produce sit for 15-30 seconds or until you can see the wax dissolving.
