Why is there Wax on My Produce?
The more I delve into food, specifically the ingredients that go into our food supply, the more I realize how truly tainted the food industry has become.
For example, if you follow me on Instagram, you may have recently seen this Reel, showing the signage at one of my local Aldi’s, under a bag of peaches: “Coated with food-grade vegetable-, petroleum-, beeswax- and/or shellac-based wax or resin to maintain freshness.”
I’m sorry, what? Petroleum? Shellac? Any kind of wax on fruit? No thanks, I’ll pass. Shortly after I noticed the sign, I was looking more carefully at the actual bag - I knew they had to disclose the fact that we were potentially eating petroleum, when a woman walked up beside and also picked up a bag of peaches. I asked her if she was bothered by the “warning label.” She read it and looked at me in utter disgust. “I am! Why would they add any of those things?” We had a brief conversation before she put the bag back.
I’m going to be honest, for as much of a nerdy ingredient-reader as I am, I don’t think think I’ve ever looked for ingredients on my produce. And if it wasn’t for that warning label (which by the way, was gone several days later when I went back), I wouldn’t have started doing so.
But it was there.
And now, I am.
And I’m learning that much of our produce is indeed coated in a variety of waxes, you know, for freshness. Apparently, before the time of waxing our fruits and vegetables (I believe around 1989), humans were just walking around eating produce that, gasp, hadn’t been coated in disgusting artificial chemicals. Can you believe it!?!
So what are these supposedly safe waxes our fruits and vegetables are being doused in that must be safe, because “they” say they are…and I’m sure no money is or was involved in making sure they received a safe and healthy label before using said waxes (wink, wink).
What is Food Grade Petroleum Wax?
Also known as paraffin wax, petroleum wax is made with petroleum bioproducts. You know, petroleum, right? It’s what we use to make things like, oil, gas, diesel and kerosene. Oh, and to coat our apples and peaches.
But don’t worry everyone. The kind that goes on our produce has been deemed edible because it’s purified to meet our food standards (the same standards that say MSG, aspartame and nitrites are fine for us too, but who am to judge?).
What is Shellac Wax?
Ohhhh, you’re going to love learning about this!
Shellac in food isn’t just used on produce, but to give candy (things like Junior Mints, Red Hots, Lemonheads, etc.) that pretty little shiny glaze, as well the coating on a variety of OTC medicines. Oh, and yes, it’s what you more commonly know as a type of wood stain.
So guess what shellac is made from? Bugs! You read that right, BUGS! Eat. It. Up. Everyone.
Shellac is a sticky secretion made from the East Asian lac insect. Now, I’m not a bug person, but, just an FYI, nearly 100,000 die for just 1 pound of shellac flakes. We don’t really even know how they’re killed. Some report they’re crushed or they let them dry out to death:(
Again, I’m not a crazy bug lover, but I do hate it when things suffer. I’m the weirdo that moves worms off the side walks after they crawl out when it’s rainy or in the morning dew, just because I think dehydrating to death must be painful.
So, produce sellers, save the bugs! Please keep your shellac. I think I speak for everyone when I say, we don’t want it.
Vegetable Wax as a Food Coating
We might want to believe that vegetable wax is made out of cucumbers, tomatoes or green beans, but, of course, “vegetable” wax is made from “vegetable” oil, a term that was given to it to make it sound healthier. In other words, it was determined “vegetable” oil was more marketable.
The truth, vegetable oil and wax is typically (not always) made from soybeans. 94% of soybeans are genetically modified (GMO’s). So when those of us who try to avoid GMO’s and bioengineered ingredients think we’re biting into fresh produce, the truth is, we still might be eating a GMO! So frustrating!
Additionally, vegetable oils just aren’t good for us. They’re highly processed, having to go through chemical extraction, degumming, refining and even bleaching, before becoming, ahem, edible. As if that wasn’t enough, most have been treated with preservatives and additives to give them some extra shelf life.
You can read more about vegetable oils and other additives I avoid here.
Can you Avoid Food Grade Waxes?
The short answer, is yes, but it might not be easy. Here are some tips:
1) Buy organic produce. To earn the “organic” label, these products can only use non-synthetic, organic substances. They still need to be labeled and many (not all) choose not to use any wax. That’s why these fruits and veggies don’t last as long.
2) GROW YOUR OWN FOOD! Team up with friends. If you don’t have room for a huge garden, grow something and share with them and vice versa. Many of these items can be frozen or canned making them delicious options year-round.
3) Similar to the above, visit your local farmer’s markets and learn to can and freeze (it’s not hard). Ask questions. Are their items organic? Do they use any waxes on their products (I doubt any of them do).
Why is our produce waxed anyway? They say it’s to keep it fresh, make it look more edible. Some of these waxed options were picked a month earlier…they have to make it last.
That said, God gave fruits and vegetable their own NATURAL wax coatings to do just that. But the smart people that sell these items graciously wash off the natural and replace it with things like GMO’s and bug secretions. How nice of them.
Will you be paying more attention to the produce you purchase after reading this? Let me know!
