EscapeArtist
12-07-2010, 05:42 PM
I found this article on another forum and thought it might be worth sharing here.
http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-vegetables-wax.htm
"Shellac or lac resin is a product that is imported from India and is used in waxes for citrus fruits, apples and pears...."
"There are two types of proteins used in the wax industry, soy and casein. Proteins are used as a thickener in lac-resin waxes and are not necessary in the more viscous petroleum based or carnuba waxes..."
"Common Wax Applications
Citrus Fruits: grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges,tangerines
Pome Fruits: apples, pears
Stone Fruits: nectarines, peaches, plums
Tropical Fruits: mangos, papayas, passion fruit
Vegetables: avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant,green peppers,hotpeppers, parsnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes,and turnips."
Of course a lot of these are safe because the peal can be stripped away. There is also much less chance that these will be used on organic foods. So, lesson learned: buy these foods organic, especially ones like apples/pears if you want to eat the skin.
As somebody who is both lactose/casein and soy intolerant, this is angering to me. If you are lactose and really sensitive like I am, I'd stay away from all waxed fruit, buy organic if you are not already. Check the labels. I ended up with a reaction after juicing an organic and waxed lemon, after I scraped some peel accidentally trying to get all the juice out of it. Kind of set the whole raw trial a step back..
http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-vegetables-wax.htm
"Shellac or lac resin is a product that is imported from India and is used in waxes for citrus fruits, apples and pears...."
"There are two types of proteins used in the wax industry, soy and casein. Proteins are used as a thickener in lac-resin waxes and are not necessary in the more viscous petroleum based or carnuba waxes..."
"Common Wax Applications
Citrus Fruits: grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges,tangerines
Pome Fruits: apples, pears
Stone Fruits: nectarines, peaches, plums
Tropical Fruits: mangos, papayas, passion fruit
Vegetables: avocados, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant,green peppers,hotpeppers, parsnips, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes,and turnips."
Of course a lot of these are safe because the peal can be stripped away. There is also much less chance that these will be used on organic foods. So, lesson learned: buy these foods organic, especially ones like apples/pears if you want to eat the skin.
As somebody who is both lactose/casein and soy intolerant, this is angering to me. If you are lactose and really sensitive like I am, I'd stay away from all waxed fruit, buy organic if you are not already. Check the labels. I ended up with a reaction after juicing an organic and waxed lemon, after I scraped some peel accidentally trying to get all the juice out of it. Kind of set the whole raw trial a step back..