Health & Family Welfare Department, Mizoram has issued a public notice stating that the majority of apples imported from outside the state have wax coating on them.
Th Food & Drugs Administration Wing under Health and Family Welfare Department has been monitoring and testing fruits and vegetables imported to Mizoram. During this inspection, the FDA found out that the apples imported from other states are coated with wax to prevent water loss and to maintain a natural look on the fruit. The public notice issued by H &FW warns the public to maintain careful measured before consuming the fruits. The notice instructs consumers to either wash the apples with hot water or the peel the outer layers.
In many places, sellers often apply synthetic wax to add shine and improve the looks. In some countries, the Food and Drug Administration permis the use of certain quantity of wax on apples. However, you cannot be sure of the amount that is actually used to increase its longevity. The types of wax allowed are beewax, shellac, carnauba and petroleum jelly and these are referred to as edible coating.
