Because of poisonous pesticides, they wash the fruit in the dishwasher! Does it work?

Pesticides are not only used to control pests in fields and gardens, but also to repel insects or in the form of disinfectants. Many of them are even approved for use in organic farming.

However, pesticide residues are sometimes also found in food and can be harmful to our health if they exceed the limit of acceptable daily intake in the long term. Blesk reported on this last autumn in its consumer test of black teas. “Of course, we know what health risks can be brought by specific substances – pesticides, but these substances will no longer enter the food chain in their pure form,” explains Michaela Smolková from the We Can Eat blog.

But how do you not burn yourself when buying fruit and vegetables from the store? How to handle such foods? According to Michaela Smolková, some research actually confirms that soaking fruits and vegetables in a solution of water with vinegar, soda or salt removes some types of pesticides more effectively than water.

“Yes, this method works, but only for some types of pesticides. However, an important fact that was not included in these studies was how this method of cleaning affects the nutritional value of the fruits. In addition, the reported research often involves pesticides that are not used in the Czech Republic. Such studies are therefore pointless for us.” warns the expert. In addition, according to her, the European Union and especially the Czech Republic belong to the areas with the lowest consumption of pesticides in the world, which is also consistent with the results of monitoring pesticide residues in food. Their use is also strictly regulated.

Wash, peel, blanch

“In our conditions (Czech Republic, EU), only such pesticides are approved, which can be removed from the fruit by thoroughly washing with a stream of drinking water and cleaning with a cloth or a fine brush,” explains Michaela Smolková.

Another way in which we can maximally reduce the content of pesticide residues in fruits is their peeling. “Unfortunately, however, together with pesticides, this removes more vitamins and fiber,” points out.

Another possible method is blanching, where vegetables or fruits are briefly boiled and then cooled sharply in cold or ice water. “Thanks to this process, the activity of microorganisms is suppressed, pesticide residues are removed, the shelf life of vegetables is extended, but the taste and vitamins are largely preserved.” advises Michaela Smolková.

No dishwasher!

On the contrary, the craziest way is to use the dishwasher to protect against poisons. “Recently, popular videos about how to effectively get rid of pesticides jump out at me, where female influencers recommend washing fruits and vegetables in the dishwasher. Which of course is nonsense. If I leave out the fact that you can clean the dishwasher with this, you will also spoil your fruits and vegetables. Most programs offer washing temperatures from 45 °C upwards, such a temperature already has a negative effect on the loss of nutrients.” explains Michaela Smolková.

If you were to wash the fruits in this way, you must also consume them as soon as possible, because they would soon spoil. “By washing, you remove the natural film from the surface that protects the fruit from rotting and mold,” supplies.

According to Michaela Smolková, we should mainly choose local Czech fruits and vegetables, or foreign ones in organic quality. We should be wary of products that have traveled halfway around the world to us.

“The SZPI publishes on its website the regular results of checks for exceeding the limit amount of pesticides in food. The most common seizures are in the form of exotic fruits, herbs, spices and teas from countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, China and Turkey.” concludes.