The power of baking powder: Rubbing the kitchen-cupboard staple on fruit and vegetables removes up to 96% of pesticides, reveal scientists

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Baking powder removes up to 96 percent of pesticides from fruit and vegetables, new research reveals.

When mixed with water and gently rubbed on apple skins, the kitchen staple eliminates nearly all the reside left by two commonly-applied pesticides within 15 minutes, a study found.

This method is more effective than the standard procedure of applying a type of bleach to the fruit for two minutes, the research adds. 

Previous research reveals baking powder breaks down pesticides due to its highly-alkaline pH, which causes the chemicals to fragment into harmless molecules.  

Lead author Dr Lili He from the University of Massachusetts, said: ‘Pesticide residues may remain on agricultural produce, where they contribute to the total dietary intake of pesticides. Concerns about potential hazards of pesticides to food safety and human health have increased, and therefore, it is desirable to reduce these residues.’

a7a3efa6fe55a1b149d21e032bf1dfa8 The power of baking powder: Rubbing the kitchen-cupboard staple on fruit and vegetables removes up to 96% of pesticides, reveal scientists

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