7 Surprising Things About Your Grocery Store Produce

7 Surprising Things About Your Grocery Store Produce

Is an apple, an apple? It is easy to assume the fresh produce section of your grocery store, well, has fresh produce for you to eat. But check out the surprising facts below and set things straight with these rainbow colors of food.

1. Do not trust the pre-washed label.

What counts as a good wash? Some producers only mist their produce. Does that make them clean? To be safe, you should always wash your purchases, even if they come inside a bag or carton.

2. There may be bugs.

Yes, some produce is covered during transport and storage but this does not mean they are protected from the elements or bugs. Remember to check your fruits and vegetables for creepy crawlers and always wash them before eating.

3. Organic is not synonymous with pesticide-free.

The organic label can mean that your produce was grown using organic pesticides. It can be a shocking fact but this is true. Also, organic produce is not exempted from dirt or bugs so do not eat them without washing first.

4. Fresh produce is often hidden.

The items at the front of the shelves are always those with the shortest shelf-life. If you want the freshest produce, look at the back.

5. Bananas are chemically ripened.

How far is your grocery store from the nearest banana plantation? Chances are, it is very far. And this means the bananas you are buying have been picked way in advance and have been chemically ripened just before they hit the shelves.

6. Pre-cut fruit has a shorter shelf-life.

You might think it is convenient, but pre-cut food is not only expensive, it is also going to go fast. Because it is cut and repackaged, the fruit or vegetable has been exposed to oxygen, light, and possibly heat. All of these lower the quality of your food and contribute to its immediate deterioration.

7. A generic grocery apple is of last season’s harvest.

That is right. Your fresh apple in the middle of summer has been picked in the fall last year. Producers pick them and process them, meaning pesticides and chemicals, in the storage facility so they come out looking fresh anytime of the year.