Hazardous citrus alert: The truth about fruit coatings

A notable post about citrus fruits appeared on Dawid Polak's Instagram. The scientist revealed what was found on the label, explaining the nature of the substance. "It's an agent that has been classified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans,'" he cautions.

As Dawid Polak wrote on his Instagram account biotech.geek, the lemons we find in shops are coated with a specific agent. The scientist detailed why this mysterious ingredient can be potentially hazardous to individuals.

"Lemons have imazalil on them. It is a fungicide that has been classified as 'probably carcinogenic to humans,'" Dawid Polak explains at the start of the post, displaying shop labels on the fruits, where the mentioned substance indeed appears.

"This means that in large amounts, its consumption can lead to the development of cancers. However, since imazalil is mainly found on the fruit peels, its consumption is limited," the expert continues.

Polak adds that to minimise the risk, it is advisable to wash fruits regularly before eating. The toxic dose of the substance mentioned for an adult male weighing 70 kilograms is over 330 units.

To remove harmful substances found on citrus peels, we must wash them thoroughly in warm water - preferably using a brush, and optionally, washing-up liquid. "Fruits with thicker skins, like grapefruits, can additionally be scalded with boiling water, which more effectively removes imazalil," advises Dawid Polak.

He adds that if we plan to use lemon peel in the kitchen, it is wise to remove substances that do not dissolve in water.

"To do this, first rinse the fruits in water with vinegar or citric acid, and then in a bicarbonate of soda solution, which eliminates pesticides and preservatives. This process minimises the risk of consuming toxins," instructs the expert.