How to remove harmful chemicals from everyday food (7 proven methods)

Nigeria is facing a food safety crisis.

With over 90% of local farmers using highly hazardous pesticides, many of which are banned in the EU and North America, simply "rinsing" your vegetables isn't enough.

Investigations by GST Media have shown that staples like beans and carrots often carry residues that lead to long-term organ damage.

Here is how you can protect your family using simple, low-cost home methods.

READ THIS: 10 tips on how to keep your kidney healthy 

In many Nigerian households, we wash our raw foods in a bowl of stagnant water. Stop doing this. Stagnant water just redistributes the chemicals.

Instead of doing that, rinse fruits, vegetables and other food items under clean running water for 30–60 seconds to remove pesticide residues, dirt and bacteria and, in some cases, wax coatings.

READ ALSO: 9 of the Healthiest Fruits and Vegetables to Eat This Rainy Season 

This is one of the most effective home methods. It’s the best way to wash smoked fish and meat.

How to do it:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 litre of water

• Soak your food for 10–15 minutes

• Rinse thoroughly afterwards

The salt helps break down pesticide residues and pulls chemicals off the surface

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Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a do-it-all product every home should have. It removes more pesticide residues than water alone.

Steps:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 litre of water

• Soak for 12–15 minutes

• Rinse thoroughly

READ ALSO: 5 interesting uses of baking soda aside from baking 

Peeling removes wax coatings and residues embedded in the skin of fruits. You may also lose nutrients (fibre, vitamins), but it’s better than eating poison. 

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant widely used for killing bacteria and reducing pesticide residues.

How to use:

• Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water

• Soak for 10–15 minutes

• Rinse well

READ ALSO: 5 Health benefits of apple cider vinegar

For fruits and vegetables with hard skins, use a clean brush or your hands and scrub under running water. 

This process removes dirt and chemical residue from your foods. 

In Nigeria, where illegal or highly toxic pesticides still circulate, one must take precautions to be safe.

Buy from trusted vendors and avoid overly shiny, fresh or unusually large produce

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If you live in Nigeria, you cannot assume your food is pesticide-free. But you don’t need expensive solutions.

With proper washing, soaking methods and buying from trusted sources, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

1. Wash under running water

2. Soak in salt water

3. Use a baking soda solution

4. Peel when necessary

5. Soak in vinegar

6. Scrub firm produce

7. Buy from trusted sources