Waxed Lemons!!!


Caught the show Food Unwrapped on Channel 4 a few days ago. The premise is that they phone customer service lines of food  production companies and ask simple questions.  Like what type of wax is used on Lemon's?  How do you get the wax on the lemons? And why do they need to be waxed?  If they can't answer they go to the factory's themselves to see first hand. 

I've now been put off buying waxed lemons for life!!!! The main ingredient they use is a "food safe" product called shellac.  Which is basically the harvested secretion of an Insect.  Ohh it gets even better.  The secretion is produced by the female laying eggs on tree branches, to protect them from predators.  The tree branches are harvested and placed in the sun too kill the insects, then scrapped off and processed down to a fine powder.  Before being combined with other chemicals to produce a liquid wax that can be sprayed on the fruit.

Shellac is also used in Nail polish, and wood varnishes.  The wax is used because it extends the life of the lemon by slowing down the moisture lost.  Just to extend the shelf live of the product!!!  I'd rather have fresh fruit and pay a little extra, than buy fruit with insect poo!!!!!

Having to give up dairy, meat and poultry has made me appreciate how resourceful Vegans and vegetarians are.  Thanks to bloggers and web sites Iv found inspiration for some great meals.  Iv just never thought how hard it must be for them to stick to there ethic's. Especially as in this case when buying a lemon become minefield as you try to work out if it's un-waxed.