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Nature provides us with everything we need to maintain good health. This includes fruit, which is as sweet as various sweets, but much more beneficial to us.
Apples, pears and other types of fruit are full of vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, as with other things in the world, we have managed to spoil fruit by using pesticides, artificial fertilizers and other chemicals.
A fairly serious problem is the application of toxic wax with which producers and sellers cover many types of fruit.
The wax used comes from the same source as motor oils, i.e. petroleum. And such wax is extremely toxic to our bodies.
Why do growers use artificial wax?
Farmers and fruit distributors have adopted this repulsive habit of applying artificial wax to fruit. The reason is supposedly that the fruit will last longer in storage.
During this process they remove the fruit’s natural protective coating and apply artificial wax in its place.
They claim that this is to protect it from molds and bacteria, thereby helping treated fruit keep its freshness longer. The truth, however, is somewhat different.
Artificial wax enhances the color of the fruit and makes it look more attractive and appetizing. Such fruit then sells more easily. That is the main motivator for sellers.
In the last decade consumers have increasingly begun to ask whether such a procedure is really necessary or whether it is just a trick to fool consumers.
Composition of artificial wax
Since wax is not considered a food but only an auxiliary substance, growers and sellers are not obliged to disclose its composition.
The result is that reports circulate claiming that such artificial wax contains several toxic ingredients. In addition to petroleum-derived components, allergens such as soy, gluten or milk components have even been found in it.
And then of course there are substances like fungicides, preservatives, artificial colorings and other things that improve the appearance of fruit.
These are all known carcinogens that have no place in food.
Test to find out whether fruit is covered with artificial wax
The question then is how to detect whether your fruit is covered with such a dangerous toxic wax.
It’s a fairly simple test. Take your fruit and pour very hot water over it — either from the tap, or better yet boiled water.
If the surface of the fruit changes from translucent to like the one shown in the introductory picture, then your fruit is covered with artificial wax.
You can try to scrape it off with a knife, but it’s best not to eat such fruit at all, because you will never manage to remove the wax coating completely.
How to avoid fruit with artificial wax
Much better than discovering you’ve bought fruit covered with artificial wax is not to buy such fruit in the first place.
Although most producers use artificial wax, there are also producers who use natural wax or use none at all.
Natural wax is made from things like carnauba wax, wood resin or beeswax. In addition, it contains no pesticides, fungicides, artificial preservatives, or any petroleum products.
Therefore it’s best to buy seasonal fruit from small local growers (grandmas at the market who sell produce from their own gardens) or from organic food stores.
Always, however, ask to be sure about the origin of the fruit being sold and whether it contains artificial wax or other spray chemicals.
