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| How does AVA ensure that vegetables imported into Singapore meet pesticide safety standards? | |
| Answer |
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AVA conducts inspection programmes to ensure that imported and locally produced vegetables and fruits do not contain excessive pesticide residues.
For imported fruits and vegetables, AVA imposes a labelling system to identify supply sources. We routinely take samples of imported fruits and vegetables for laboratory testing to check on the levels of pesticide residues. Fruits and vegetables that are known to be problematic are subject to stricter checks and controls. Consignments that fail to meet AVA's stringent requirements are destroyed and AVA will follow up with a fine and suspension of the importer.
For locally produced vegetables, AVA monitors and regulates the use of pesticides in the local vegetable farms to ensure that pesticides are applied properly. Farmers have to use AVA-registered pesticides which are in line with international standards. They must also have a certified pesticide operator to handle the pesticides in the farms. Vegetables that are ready for harvest are also sampled and tested for pesticide residues. Like imported vegetables, penalties are imposed on farms that fail to meet AVA's stringent requirements. |
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| Some fruits eg. small fragrant pears from China, have a sticky coating which cannot be removed by washing. What is that? Is is safe to eat? | |
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| The sticky coating on the small fragrant pear is a natural, exudate from the pear. The pear originates from Xinjiang, China and, due to the coldness of the weather in that area, the pear would exude this coating when kept in cold storage. This happens when the storage temperature is colder than room temperature. |
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| Are the pesticides and chemicals on fresh fruits and vegetables safe to eat? | |
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| AVA conducts inspection programmes to ensure that imported and locally produced fruits and vegetables do not contain excessive pesticide and chemical residues. However, it is always a good practice to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking. A combination of rinsing and soaking will help to remove pesticide residues on vegetables substantially. When rinsing, pay attention to the base of the stems since dirt or pesticide tend to get trapped. | |
| Question |
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| Is the wax used on fruit safe to eat? Why is this necessary? | |
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| Research carried out by governmental and scientific authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has shown that approved waxes are safe to eat. As wax is indigestible, it will go through the body without breaking down or being absorbed. Waxing helps to retain moisture in fruits and vegetables during shipping and marketing. It also inhibits mould growth and protects the fruits and vegetables from diseases. The shiny protective coating also enhances the appearance of the produce. | |
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| Some leafy vegetables, especially Kai Lan and Dou Miao, have often got a layer of white coating on it which can't be removed by washing. Are these pesticides? | |
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| The leaf surfaces of some plants, such as Kai Lan are naturally waxy and can appear as an even white coating. | |
| Question |
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| Are special detergents necessary for removing pesticides? | |
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| You do not need to use special detergents to wash vegetables and fruits. Thorough washing with clean water is sufficient to remove dirt, bacteria and chemical residues. | |
| Question |
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| Is it good practice to soak my vegetables in water for a long period of time before cooking in order to remove all impurities? | |
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| Generally, a 30-sec rinse followed by a 15-min soak and a final rinse is effective in removing dirt and pesticide residues. Pay particular attention to the base of vegetable stems since dirt or pesticide tend to get trapped there. | |
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| Is it safe to eat cut apples or pears that have turned brown? | |
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| It is safe to eat them. Cut apples and pears turn brown due to a reaction between the iron-containing chemicals in their cells and the oxygen in the air. This reaction is called oxidation. To prevent them from turning brown, use anti-oxidants like lemon juice, which is high in citric acid, on them after cutting, or soak them in salt water to prevent browning. | |
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| Are organic vegetables better for us since they don't use pesticides? | |
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| The quality (and safety) of vegetables is dependent on how well the farm is managed. Regardless of the method of crop production, be it organic, hydroponics or the conventional method of producing vegetables, good farm management practices (such as proper use of farm inputs) will ensure that the vegetables produced are of high quality, wholesome and safe. There is no conclusive evidence that organic vegetables or hydroponically grown vegetables are nutritionally better than those grown conventionally. | |
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| Are Genetically Modified (GM) fruits and vegetables safe to eat? | |
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| GM fruits and vegetables can be as safe as conventional fruits and vegetables. GM fruits and vegetables must pass stringent food safety tests before they are allowed to be sold for consumption. To date, there has been no reported information on any adverse effect on human health. | |
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