Inspections performed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) found that almost three per cent of the citrus fruits analyzed contain more pesticides than the maximum allowed.

The extensive use of pesticides in modern agriculture ensures the profitability of crops. Increase yield, prolong crop shelf-life, protection from pests, including improving the appearance of the crop.

In order to maintain the fruit at their cosmetic best, right after picking, producers immerse the fruit into a mixture containing imazalil, a pesticide in the fungicide family.

A chemical bath of water, wax and imazalil prevents the development of mould and fungi during transport. Wherever in the world, the citrus fruits come from, unless it is organic, it contains imazalil and often other pesticides as well.

The chemical also penetrates the pulp of the fruit. Nearly 25 per cent of the pesticide penetrates thin-peel citrus fruits and 10 per cent for thick-peel citrus fruits.

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Toxicologist, Onil Samuel, from the Institut national de la santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), in an interview with Radio Canada, stated there is a lack of data to evaluate the risks properly.

“The concept of risk is always calculated based on actual exposure, and little is known about the precise nature of this exposure. It is clear that we consume more oranges and clementines than lemon, while the latter, it happens that we consume the zest, so the peel, Samuel said. “

Imazalil is used according to exact standards, and its declaration has been mandatory since 2014. Unfortunately, once the fruit has been removed from the packaging, the consumer has no way of knowing. Additionally, non-organic citrus fruit can contain pesticide residues from the growing period and still be labelled “untreated” because it was not treated post-harvest.

For safer food preparation, it would be best to use organic citrus fruit for zest. Nonetheless, to minimize the cumulative exposure, wash fruit thoroughly with a brush underwater to remove as much wax and pesticides as possible – more so if it is to zest the peel.

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