The Application of Pesticides on Food - Assignment Example

I. From my perception, there has been criticism in the past years on the application of pesticides in food. Many people may have perceived that if pesticides are applied to food it might turn out to be poisonous. But the Environmental Protection Agency provides us with the right information about these pesticides.
II. According to the agency, pesticides are applied to all foods that we do take. Pesticides are majorly used in the control of pests that destroy crops. The application of these pesticides on crops improves the shelf-life, quality, and safety of food. In the present age where there is growth and hence the need for more food, pesticides should be used as much as critics may perceive them to be poisonous. The Environmental protection Agency provides that food may not harm individuals if they are washed (Robin, pp.30)
(We can change to the main theme which is pesticides)
Body
I. To know if the food that individuals eat is safe, one should be aware of the number of pesticides left on the food consumed. This amount of pesticide is referred to as pesticide residue. According to the Environmental Agency, there is an amount that when left on the food makes it safe. This amount that is permitted on the food is known as pesticide tolerance. For the determination of what is to be left, the Environmental protection Agency dictates the environmental and health risks that pesticides pose (Robin, pp.30)
II. Pesticide residue and tolerance
a) For the persons who do not consume organic foods, some measures can be considered to make the food harmless. Firstly, if foods are washed the consumption of pesticides is reduced to some amounts. The most effective way of washing is by the use of running water rather than soaking or dunking as it washes away pesticide on the surface unlike the other two that scatter them on the surface
b) Apart from the washing effectiveness can be achieved by scrubbing vegetables and fruits like root and melon vegetables like root and melon vegetables. The leafy vegetables' outer layer should be cast off to lessen exposure. Peeling vegetables and fruits if need be may be of help. Skin and fat can be sheared from poultry, fish, and meat to lessen the pesticide residue amount that is in fats. In addition, eating various vegetables and fruits limits exposure to one pesticide type. A dry cloth should be used in the drying food to avoid contamination from the towel. Consumers ought to know that organic food contains pesticides. 95% of additives in organic food are organic. Read More