Fruits like plums, apples, pears etc. have natural wax covering for the retainment of moisture and firmness, and slow down of the natural degradation.
But it is not possible for the farmers and the storekeepers to keep the fruits fresh and juicy for several months at a stretch. Additional food grade wax is being used for increasing the fruit’s shelf-life.
Know-how on wax coating on fruits:
The sparkling fruits that please your eyes are the result of the wax coating. Wax is always known to be a preserver of the gloss. The main motto of the fruit waxing technology is to produce prettier fruits than its original beauty with flossy, warm, seductive and glowing hues- to impress the consumers. Fruits and vegetables owe their super cleanliness and freshness due to the ultimate preserver called wax.
The artificial fruit wax makes allies with both presentation and preservation. The fungicides in it hinder the mold growth, handle the fruit respiration for slowing up the ripening and also shield the fruits from bruising during its package and travelling. Lovely tints and gleaming shellac are encompassed for boosting the appearance of the fruits. The wax coating on fruits and vegetables are the source of the intact blossoming youth for weeks and months.
Apple wax coating- is it real or artificial?
You may wonder that if apples can produce natural wax, then what the need to add more wax externally is.
Several reasons are there:
An excellent full wax coverage always stores better than half or less wax coating.
Apples have the capability of remaining crisp in CA or controlled- atmosphere storage for a more extended period using minimizing the storage’s oxygen level. To get the maximum benefit of the CA storage, apples must possess unscathed top wax coating.
Is there any reason to worry?
Wax is derived from either natural or synthetic processes. But, both are organic compounds. The natural waxes are habitually esters of the fatty acids as well as the long-chain alcohol. Individual animals and plants can produce edible waxes that are known as ‘food-grade waxes.’ They are entirely safe to be used on food and okay for humans consumption.
Is the wax edible?
The FDA has certified both the Shellac and Carnauba wax as risk-free for human consumption. Shellac, beewax, petroleum jelly and carnauba are edible waxes. Shellac is used for apple and other fruits coating to make them look shinier. D. Manoharlal (Shellac) Pvt. Ltd., the most prominent Shellac manufacturer of India, has opined that it can be used in coating medicines, confectioneries, food, hats, wood, and cosmetics safely as replacement of Candelilla and Carnauba Wax.
Owing to the profound usage of coating on medicines, fruits, and vegetables, we can comprehend that wax coating is consumable. Next time you are shopping in the food market, don’t worry about the wax cover and buy them. You can always use vinegar or lemon juice to remove the overcoat if you wish.
