Are strawberries the dirtiest fruit?

From November to February of the following year, strawberries are ripe and available in large quantities. During this period, the temperature difference between day and night is large, which is conducive to the accumulation of sugars. The strawberries are large and delicious, and this is the season when many people enjoy the freedom of eating strawberries. However, this fruit, which many people like to eat, has been frequently criticized in recent years.

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Some people believe that strawberries are the "dirtiest" fruit because they have been found to have the most types of pesticide residues in multiple pesticide residue tests. They are not safe to eat. In addition, strawberries are always at the top of the list of the "dirtiest" fruits published by the Environmental Protection Organization (EWG) in the United States. This has caused some consumers to worry and turn pale at the mention of strawberries. Are strawberries really that "dirty"?

The answer is of course no.

01

Pesticides can protect the safety of the "fruit basket"

With the arrival of complex climate and the continuous expansion of strawberry planting area, strawberry diseases have also increased, and the losses caused have become more serious. In order to increase production, produce pest-free strawberries, and satisfy consumers' freedom to eat strawberries, growers usually apply different pesticides to deal with different pests and diseases during the strawberry planting period. This not only effectively improves the appearance quality and yield of strawberries, but also effectively prevents the spread of pests and diseases, prevents and controls the occurrence and prevalence of human infectious diseases, and protects human health. Therefore, the use of pesticides in the process of growing strawberries is necessary and beneficial.

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Nowadays, the country insists on ensuring the safety of the people's "fruit basket" and has stepped up efforts to crack down on illegal activities that affect food safety. It has also implemented a strict management system for the use of pesticides, and strictly prohibits the use of highly toxic, extremely toxic, and high-residue pesticides in the cultivation of strawberries and other fruits. Low-toxic, slightly toxic, and low-residue pesticides are used. These pesticides that can be used have also passed many tests such as chemical properties, toxicological properties, efficacy, residual properties, and environmental impact. They are used in agricultural production after scientific risk assessment. As long as they are used in accordance with the instructions, there will be no safety problems.

At the same time, the growth period of strawberries is relatively long, and pesticides are mostly used during the seedling period, and no pesticides are applied before the harvest period. After these pesticides are sprayed on strawberries, they are exposed to the wind, sun, rain and biodegradation for a long time. The pesticide residues on the strawberry fruits are very rare and the toxicity has been greatly reduced. When eating with normal washing procedures, it will not affect human health, so we don’t need to change our color when facing pesticides.

02

It is meaningless to talk about toxicity without considering the dose

Strawberries are sweet and sour, rich in nutrients, and are honored as the "Queen of Fruits." However, their life is full of twists and turns, and there are more than 20 common pests and diseases. Therefore, farmers use a variety of pesticides to prevent and control diseases during strawberry planting. Nowadays, pesticide residue detection technology has become more and more advanced, and even trace amounts of pesticide residues can be detected sensitively, so multiple types of pesticide residues can be detected in strawberries.

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However, the number of detected pesticides does not mean that strawberries contain multiple high-dose pesticide residues. The number of pesticides and the amount of pesticides are two different concepts. The detection of multiple pesticide residues can only mean that multiple pesticides are used for prevention and control, not that the amount of pesticide residues exceeds the limit. In fact, only when the amount of pesticide residue exceeds the limit standard can it endanger human health.

In addition, in order to ensure the safety of strawberry production, China has formulated 92 maximum residue limits for pesticides for strawberries. This limit standard is based on China's pesticide residue test and monitoring data, China's residents' dietary consumption data, pesticide toxicology data, etc., and is formulated after scientific risk assessment. It is scientific and reliable. Just like taking medicine when a person is sick, as long as it does not exceed the limit standard, it is harmless to the human body. At the same time, various regions in China will conduct multiple pesticide residue inspections on strawberries when they are on the market, and no excessive pesticide residues have been found. Therefore, China's strawberries are generally safe and controllable, and are not the "dirtiest" fruit as rumored. We can eat strawberries with confidence.

03

How to choose strawberries?

Rumors stop at the wise. Smashing rumors will increase your confidence in eating strawberries. Do you want to buy some strawberries to try now? Don’t be in a hurry. Follow this four-step method of one shape, two colors, three hardness and four seeds to select strawberries. I guarantee you will pick satisfactory and delicious strawberries.

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Shape: Choose those that are moderate in size, without any damage on the surface, and of uniform size, such as lychees. Do not buy those with strange shapes or those that are too big. Those that are too big have a relatively lighter flavor and do not taste very good.

Two colors: The strawberries should be bright red, rosy and evenly colored. Uneven colors may be artificially ripened strawberries and are not recommended for purchase.

Three hardness: Choose strawberries that are red but not soft, feel 80% ripe, and have bright green stems and leaves.

Four seeds: Naturally ripened strawberry seeds are white or yellow.

04

How to clean strawberries?

Follow the above method to select good strawberries, but don’t be impatient to eat them directly. Impatientness will not help. Strawberries that are not cleaned properly will have many viruses, bacteria and pesticide residues on the surface. Eating them can easily harm human health and cause discomfort. They need to be cleaned before eating. So how can you clean them as thoroughly as possible?

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1. Rinse with running water

Do not remove the strawberry stems, but rinse them directly with running water for more than 30 seconds, which can wash away most of the pesticide residues and microorganisms. If you remove the strawberry stems and soak them in standing water, the pesticide residues will enter the fruit and contaminate it.

2. Soak in rice water or light salt water for 5 minutes

After rinsing the strawberries with running water, you can soak them in rice water or light salt water for 5 minutes. Light salt water can kill harmful microorganisms remaining on the surface of the strawberries; rice water is alkaline and can promote the degradation of acidic pesticides.

3. Rinse with cold boiled water

After soaking them in rice water or light salt water, take them out and rinse them with boiled water. The strawberries are now very clean and can be eaten with confidence.

Conclusion

As a large agricultural country, my country is accelerating the development of agriculture. In order to ensure production and maintain human health, the cultivation of crops cannot be separated from pesticides. Therefore, the corresponding pesticide residues are inevitable, but we do not need to panic. As long as the pesticide residues are within the limit standard, and highly toxic and highly toxic pesticides are not used, and slightly toxic and low-residue pesticides are used scientifically and rationally, supervision is strengthened when they are put on the market, and appropriate methods are used to remove pesticide residues, we can enjoy strawberries without worrying too much.

References:

[1] Yang Shuhui, Song Tianqing. Rational thinking on issues related to the use of chemical pesticides in my country [J]. Agricultural Science and Technology Management, 2007(01):42-45.

[2] Sun Xiaoqi. How to select and clean strawberries[J]. Rural Knowledge, 2020(03):53.

[3] Shen Qinglong, Zhang Lengsi, Hou Lili, Qi Yu. Effects of different washing methods on the removal of pesticide residues from strawberries[J]. Agricultural Development and Equipment, 2018(12):120+123.

[4] Wu Shenggan, Wang Jingwen, Liu Xinju, An Xuehua, Jiang Jinhua, Lü Lu, Li Gang, Wang Feidi, Zhao Xueping. New progress in the maximum residue limit standards for pesticides in strawberries in my country[J]. Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, 2020(02):70-76.

[5] Wang Jianzhong, Wu Xianxin, Guo Chunjing. Pesticide registration status and residue limit requirements for strawberries in my country[J]. Chinese Fruit Trees, 2020(04):124-127+133.

[6]. The United States released the "2017 Dirtiest Fruits and Vegetables List" and strawberries were ranked first [J]. Yantai Fruit Trees, 2017(03):53-54.

Author | Li Ting

Review | Han Hongwei, Director and Researcher of Risk Communication Department, National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center

This article is produced by the "Science Rumor Refutation Platform" (ID: Science_Facts). Please indicate the source when reprinting.

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