Apr 24, 2013

Apples that won't keep doctors away


The wax coating on apples that were immersed in water for three hours. The apples were brought by a Tripunithura resident from a shop there


The next time you buy exotic apples from the market, beware! The foreign apples, which may look tempting, are being coated with wax, according to health experts.

Most of the apples that arrive from the foreign market, especially from the US, are coated with wax to ensure that their colour is not lost during the export-import process. If the actual colour is maintained, the apples will look fresh when it is displayed at the retail outlets.

Based on the reports that such outer coatings are hazardous to the human body, the State Food Safety Department had conducted a drive to ensure that these apples are safe for consumption.

However, District Food safety Officer Ajith Kumar said that coating apples with wax was permitted as it has never been proved to be hazardous to health.