ANSA came up with recommendations on citrus procurement

Chisinau, 24 Jan. /MOLDPRES/- The National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) has set recommendations for consumers who purchase citrus fruits during the cold period of the year.

Thus, according to ANSA, when placed on the market, citrus fruits do not contain pesticide residues that exceed the maximum permissible limits. However, small amounts of licensed pesticides such as thiabendazole and imazalil may be present on their shells. Pesticides are applied to citrus peel to combat diseases caused by molds or bacteria, and their regular consumption can pose a risk to human health. Under these conditions, ANSA inspectors recommend avoiding the consumption of citrus peels, both when preparing drinks and desserts.

Consumers are urged to procure citrus fruit only from specially arranged places, and that the fruit be clean, whole, healthy, without traces of mold, without damage caused by pests or frost. At the same time, sellers are obliged to inform consumers about the chemicals used in citrus processing.

Specialists recommend that before consumption, citrus fruits should be soaked in water for 30-60 minutes. Those who do not have this time, can add sodium bicarbonate to the water and leave the fruits in the created solution for 10-15 minutes, after which wash them well under running water.

During 2023, ANSA inspectors will take 400 samples of food products of vegetable origin to monitor compliance with the maximum admissible limit of pesticide residues.

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