Almost everyone has eaten unwashed fruit at some point, whether accidentally or simply for convenience. A quick wipe of an apple on your sleeve, popping a cherry tomato onto a cheese sandwich during your lunch break, or sneaking a strawberry from the punnet. How bad is that, really? Are you at risk of getting sick, or is it negligible? We've investigated for you.
Why it's sensible to wash your fruit
First of all, there's no need to panic, but it's still wise to wash fruit before you eat it. Not so much because of pesticides, but primarily because of pathogens that may be on it. We'll peel back the topic with you – pun intended. Before a piece of fruit ends up in your mouth, it has already travelled a long way. It has grown somewhere, been sprayed with water, picked, transported, placed on a shelf, and then ended up in your shopping basket. So, a piece of fruit comes into contact with many hands and surfaces, which means dirt, viruses, bacteria or parasites can end up on it. If you're unlucky, it might even have nasty pathogens on it, such as norovirus, E. coli or salmonella, which can cause a nasty stomach bug. Fortunately, the chance of this happening in the Netherlands is small, but it does occur now and then. For instance, a while ago, people ended up in hospital after eating contaminated blueberries. By washing fruit, you reduce the risk of becoming ill. The Dutch Nutrition Centre even advises washing fruit that you cut with the skin on, such as a melon, before you cut into it.
Can pesticides be washed off fruit?
Washing fruit is therefore always sensible to reduce potential pathogens, but what about pesticides? Pesticides are chemical agents used in agriculture to combat, for example, insects, fungi and weeds, thereby protecting crops from diseases and pests. Handy in themselves, but there is also criticism that pesticides can be harmful to nature and our health. Some pesticides are linked to hormone disruption, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, an important question is: can you wash pesticides off? Unfortunately, that is a lot more difficult. If you could simply wash pesticides off, they would also be washed away with every shower of rain. Most pesticides are therefore not water-soluble or even penetrate the fruit. And what about that trick with baking soda that you see so often on social media? Most experts agree that plain water works just as well. The same applies to vinegar or lemon juice. To avoid chemical pesticides, it is best to choose organic fruit or grow your own fruit.
How dangerous is pesticide residue on unwash-ed fruit?
So, you can't just wash pesticides off fruit, but how serious is this? In the Netherlands, there are strict rules for the permitted amount of pesticides. Fruit imported from abroad must also meet these standards, though it's possible that pesticides not permitted in the Netherlands have been used there. A piece of fruit is therefore essentially safe to eat, because the amount of pesticides falls within the legal limits. The issue is that these standards are set per pesticide, while multiple pesticides are used for many types of fruit. Furthermore, you come into contact with different pesticides throughout the day. Regarding the so-called cocktaileffect — the possible influence of a mix of pesticides on our health — is still little known. Pesticides are also used, such as PFAS, used on fruit that can accumulate in our bodies. For example, the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) has found that PFAS are present in 27% of Dutch fruit. Even though this remains below the standard, it’s still not a great idea. PFAS and other synthetic pesticides are not permitted on organic fruit.
Furthermore, it is good to know that the rules for pesticides apply to the part of the fruit that you normally eat. With a pumpkin, for example, it is assumed that you do not eat the skin, whereas with a butternut squash, you can eat the skin after cooking. For fruits such as kiwis, bananas, and lemons, it is also assumed that you do not eat the skin. If, for instance, you wish to use lemon peel when baking, then use an organic lemon.
Unfortunately, you can't wash most pesticides off fruit, but you can thankfully wash off pathogens.
Is it dangerous to eat unwashed fruit?
We can reassure you: in most cases, it's not a problem to eat a piece of unwashed fruit, unless you're unlucky enough for your piece of fruit to be contaminated with an unpleasant pathogen. That's why it's sensible to rinse your fruit under the tap just to be safe. A small effort, right? If you're concerned about pesticides on your fruit, unfortunately, washing helps little, as most pesticides are not water-soluble. However, according to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, you don't need to worry about this either, as strict regulations apply in the Netherlands regarding the maximum amount of pesticides. What would actually be unhealthy is not eating any fruit and vegetables at all. If you have the option, organic fruit is a good choice: synthetic pesticides are not permitted here. This is not only better as a precaution for yourself, but also for farmers and the environment.
You might also find this interesting
- Fresh fruit and vegetables that way you waste less!
- Another healthy and sustainable tip: eat in season! See here which fruits and vegetables are in season each month.
- Also interesting: How fresh is fresh fruit and vegetables?
Sources: Nutrition Centre, Keuringsdienst van Waarde, Radar, NZG, PAN Nederland, RTL, PAN Europe, NRC, Confirmation Bias, PAN Europe, Nutrition Centre, Foodwatch.Photo credits: main image: Anna Shvets (Pexels), washing fruit: Askar Abayev (Pexels).
