Question

The "water" spray that grocery stores use to keep produce fresh is actually a toxic pesticide.

Comments

Grocery stores do have misters over produce but it isn't a toxic pesticide. It is treated water, that has been filtered to remove any impurities that could cause harm to our health. It is used to enhance produce freshness, reduce spoilage, and increase produce weight according to pure water tech online.

https://purewater-tech.com/2022/08/3-reasons-why-grocery-stores-have-misters-over-the-produce/#:~:text=Spraying%20the%20produce%20increases%20the,before%20it%20starts%20getting%20old.

Answer 1

I found evidence from Kansas State Research and Extension and it said, "The bottom line is, organically produced fruits and vegetables may not be pesticide-free. The truth is, in some cases, organically produced crops could have been sprayed many times and many pesticides could have been used on them before they reach the store shelf." This is likely not misinformation.

Comments

Where's a hyperlink to your source? Thanks!

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https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/environment/organic-does-not-mean-pesticide-free.html#:~:text=The%20bottom%20line%20is%2C%20organically,they%20reach%20the%20store%20shelf.

Answer 2

I was looking at the TikTok.

• The "water" spray that grocery stores use to keep produce fresh is actually a toxic pesticide.

Here is the link. I was looking at other Google sources and the FDA has said that that it is safe to use on produce in small amounts and kills pesticides. Here are some of the sources I looked at. 

- Produce Maxx - Approved FDA Food Contact Substance

- https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/046597-00004-20210624.pdf 

https://chemstarcorp.com › producemaxx

Answer 3

The water sprayed on produce is actually something called producemaxx. It is a microbial product that contains a small amount of bacteria-fighting disinfectant that our bodies actually naturally make. It not only protects us but decreases the chance of vegetables harming us, and you should wash your vegetables anyways.

https://chemstarcorp.com/produce/#:~:text=Produce%20Maxx%20is%20a%20revolutionary,spoilage%20organisms%20in%20wash%20water.

Comments

Don't forget to mention your source in text. Thanks!

Answer 4

Grocery stores do spray mist water that contains other additives, but they are not toxic. For example, a common treatment solution used is ProduceMaxx. ProduceMaxx has explicitly claimed that while it is an antimicrobial pesticide, it is certified for use on food and its ingredients have been approved by federal law.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/apr/11/instagram-posts/videos-misrepresent-producemaxx-antimicrobial-wash/#:~:text=ProduceMaxx%20is%20EPA%2Dregistered%20as,used%20on%20food%20labeled%20organic.

Answer 5

This is false. Grocery stores spray their produce with treated water to increase shelf life, increase weight, and reduce spoilage. Grocery stores treat the water with Chlorine to kill bacteria and make sure the water is safe. The Chlorine is not toxic to consume and is not a harmful pesticide.

https://purewater-tech.com/2022/08/3-reasons-why-grocery-stores-have-misters-over-the-produce/#:~:text=Grocery%20stores%20only%20use%20treated,be%20present%20in%20the%20water.

Answer 6

Despite mixed opinions regarding what stores use within their water mist for produce, the water has actually been found to undergo a filtration system that gets rid of any harmful components for the produce. The attached website included how there is also chlorine included to kill any bacteria that might also be harmful to the produce.

https://purewater-tech.com/2022/08/3-reasons-why-grocery-stores-have-misters-over-the-produce/#:~:text=Grocery%20stores%20only%20use%20treated,be%20present%20in%20the%20water

Comments

How would you rate the claim? True? False? N/A?

Answer 7

ProduceMaxx is an antimicrobial pesticide.  The U.S. EPA designates it as a substance that "destroy or suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate objects and surfaces."  ProduceMaxx is, however, a pesticide designed to be safe for human consumption.   Organic Materials Review Institute, an independent food standards group, approved this product for use on produce deemed to be organic.  This is likely misinformation.  

EPA site describing what an "antimicrobial pesticide" is: What are Antimicrobial Pesticides?

ProduceMaxx product site going into more detail about the product classification: PRODUCE MAXX

Organic Materials Review Institute certificate for ProduceMaxx: ProduceMaxx

Answer 8

This is false and misinformation as the water sprayed on the produce to make it not go bad. There are some chemicals in the water but no pesticides that are bad for you. This is misleading and isn't backed up. I used this article to check why water is sprayed on produce. https://www.tastingtable.com/774469/why-do-grocery-stores-spray-produce/

Answer 9

The misters in grocery stores arent actually filled with toxic pesticide, instead they are filled with Produce Maxx. Produce Maxx doesnt have and toxoc pesticides in it, its only filled with safe thing that are healthy for the produce and humans.

https://chemstarcorp.com/california-cleaning-product-right-to-know-act-of-2107-produce-maxx/

Answer 10

After further reading into this claim, it's said that the misters don't spray water, but they also don't spray toxic pesticides. According to the article Truth About What’s Sprayed on Veggies in Grocery Stores Has People Outraged by Mandi Jacewicz, the mist is "a food-grade sanitizer made of Hypochlorous Acid," (2024). Essentially this disinfectant helps fight harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It helps protects us from deadly pathogens that are worse for us then this disinfectant. It's important regardless that we are actively washing our fruits and vegetables once they are brought home. 

So, no there isn't toxic pesticides in the mist sprayed over our veggies it is an unharmful chemical that is protecting us from deadly pathogens. Like Jacewicz stated towards the end of the article, "Rather than using a more harmful chemical to keep produce clean, grocery stores like Sprouts have thankfully chosen this more natural option," (2024). 

https://delishably.com/news/chemical-sprayed-on-veggies-grocery-store