Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072752060300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Word of caution on wax on apple

Staff Reporter

Traders asked to declare on the label the type of wax used

There were reports that some wax are non-food-grade
Samples collected from city sent to lab for testing

Thiruvananthapuram: The Corporation authorities collected samples of apples from the market following reports that these are being coated with non-food-grade variety of wax, which could be harmful to health.

As per the recent (2006) amendments in the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1955, only wax derived from natural sources may be used to coat apples. These details should be clearly shown on the label. Wax derived from natural sources include carnauba wax, from the leaves of a Brazilian palm; candellia wax, derived from reed-like desert plants of the genus Euphorbia; and food-grade shellac, which comes from a secretion of the lac bug found in India and Pakistan.

Natural wax

Apples have a coating of natural wax but this is worn off during the harvesting and cleaning. The wax coating is what protects the high water content in apples and keeps in shiny and crisp. Hence a light coating of wax is additionally used for commercial purposes.

Take note

Strict action would be taken against traders who sell apples which do not give the declaration on wax on the labels, the Corporation authorities said here on Thursday. The statement urged the consumers to pay attention to these matters before buying fruits.

Food Inspector of the Corporation D. Jayachandran sent the collected samples to the Public Health Laboratory for testing.