why are apples sold at grocery store coated with something that looks like wax?

Question

Is consumption of that wax-like substance over time harmful to health?

Answer 1

It's an edible, FDA approved wax. It's put on fruits and vegetables to prevent dehydration, provide a longer shelf life and for aesthetics (shiny).

Buy a regular orange (or apple) and an organic one. Set them both in the same place. The organic fruit will decay in a few days.

The wax does not come off with washing or scrubbing.

Answer 2

The coat on apples helps them stay fresher longer and keep their color. Apples are stacked on top of eachother so without that wax coat they will get bruised quicker and it would be like the store throwing away money cause no one will want to buy them. Usually when you wash fruit off before you eat it that coat comes off but that coat isnt harmful. if you still in doubt then you can always buy organic fruits. They cost more but theirs no added chemicals.

Answer 3

Apples (and cucumbers, and watermelons, and other things) are coated with food-grade paraffin (wax). It preserves their shelf life by keeping oxygen away, and it has the added benefit of making the apples (or whatever) look shinier.

It's harmless, but you should wash your fruits/veggies anyway, to remove any pesticides or other chemicals.

Answer 4

The coating, which is used on many fresh fruits and veges, is to help keep them from spoiling so quickly. Much of the produce , especially fruit, that we eat this time of year, comes from South America, Africa etc. and obviously travels a long way before it ever hits our grocer's shelf.

Answer 5

To keep them fresher, make them look better,
and in MY OPINION to lock those pesticides in, and they are not edible, pesticides that is.

Answer 6

To make them more appealing! No joke intended!

Answer 7

It is wax, so they look nicer, no it will not hurt you.