Vietnam: Tests show Chinese apples safe to eat
40 samples were taken and 39 of them tested negative for thiram, a prohibited fungicide it was feared would be present. The remaining apple that was found to contain some residual thiram, had levels wells below to safe limit. It was found to contain just 0.08 parts per million, when the safety limit is 2 parts per million.
15 samples showed traces of arsenic, though, again, well within the safety limits - 0.02-0.11 parts per million, when anything under 1 part per million is considered to be safe for consumption.
The tests came after reports of apple growers in China had been wrapping their fruits in plastic bags containing an unknown white powder.
Some farmers had apparently stated that it was common practice for Chinese exporters to pack apples with thiram and melarsoprol (which contains arsenic).
A previous test carried out by the Plant Protection Department found similar results. Again some of the samples were contaminated, but within permissible levels.
Though the apples are safe to eat consumers are being advised to wash their apples before use - good practice with any fruit.
Vietnam imports around 120,000 tons of Chinese apples every year.
Source: www.thanhniennews.com
