Seasonal Produce Alert: High Nitrates, Health Risks
Consumers can now enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in stores, but there's a potential downside: high nitrate levels can pose health risks.
These nitrates can only be detected in certified laboratories. Consumer-grade measuring devices available on the market are ineffective because they lack proper calibration and don't provide accurate readings.
Unfortunately, shoppers cannot tell at a glance if produce has high nitrate levels. However, the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) representative, Svetlana Șveț, offered some tips to help consumers identify fruits and vegetables that may be higher in nitrates.
"For instance, a tomato slice should not have a flesh colour significantly paler than the skin. The core should be soft. Carrots that are unusually large may also indicate elevated nitrate levels. Greens with thick, dark-coloured stems are another sign of potentially high nitrate content. Salad leaves with brown edges, darker or even black upper cabbage leaves, and softer potatoes all suggest these items may be high in nitrates," said Svetlana Șveț, ANSA representative.
Experts say sellers must conduct laboratory tests on their produce and have quality certificates to ensure safety.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
