Published July 26th, 2024.

A large portion of produce sold at the grocery store is treated with waxes. Here's how you can remove the food coatings.

The USDA allows wax on:

• apples,
• avocados
• cucumbers
• eggplant
• grapefruit
• lemons
• limes
• melons
• oranges
• peaches
• pineapples
• plums
• parsnips
• peppers
• pumpkins
• squash
• tomatoes
• sweet potatoes
• passion fruit
• turnips
• zucchini

The three common types of waxes used are plant-based, insect-based, and synthetic or petroleum based.

Petroleum based synthetic waxes including paraffin, polyethylene, mineral oil, and naptha are used on conventional produce items. The most common is paraffin wax which is largely composed of vegetable oils, petroleum resins and oil derivatives. While the FDA deems them safe in small amounts, questions linger about the potential long-term health impact of regularly ingesting them. There is also concern regarding the ability of paraffin and all other waxes to trap in pesticides and bacteria on the produce. On top of that, synthetic waxes can be used in conjunction with a layer of fungicide to prevent mold growth. For example, Sta-Fresh® 451 is a high-gloss fungicide used on citrus.

Carnauba Wax is derived from the carnauba palm and can be used on organic produce. Beeswax which is derived from honeycomb and shellac which is derived from the lac beetle can be used on conventional and organic produce depending on the full ingredient list of the coatings.

The FDA claims that water alone will remove these waxes, which isn't accurate because they are hydrophobic and insoluble in water. I found from looking at the technical sheets that the waxes are soluble in acetic acid and ethers meaning that vinegar can be used to remove them.

Here are three ways to remove the wax.

1. Add 1/2-1 cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water and let the produce sit for 10 minutes before using a cloth or veggie brush.

2. Dip a cloth in vinegar and then firmly brush the produce.

3. Place 1/2-1 cup of vinegar into water that is just below boiling (180 degreed faranheit) and let the produce sit for 15-30 seconds or until you can see the wax dissolving.