Fact Check: Truth of Video of farmer dipping grapes in pesticide solution

A video circulating on social media has raised eyebrows and concerns, showing a farmer submerging grapes in a milky white solution, leading viewers to believe it was a pesticide treatment. However, upon closer examination, the truth is quite different.

A person in a 14-second video is standing inside a tank full of a milky, white liquid that looks like a farm field. We watch him dipping a box of grapes into the liquid in the video that has become viral on social media. A shared post accompanies this video, claiming, “Now our food contains only chemicals and pesticides.” You can find related posts with similar claims here, here, and here.

The substance seen in the video is a mixture of ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate, commonly used in the production of dry grapes or raisins.

This fact-check found that dipping grape bunches in a solution is a standard method used to help grapes lose water quickly before drying. Manuals from agricultural research groups explain this process and recommend specific timings for dipping to ensure raisin quality.

We found a video on the 'FarmTV' YouTube channel from December 30, 2014, titled 'Dry Grape or Raisin Making.' The video explains that to make raisins, one should first remove damaged grapes, wash the remaining clusters, and then dip them in a mix of ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate for 3-5 minutes. Afterward, the grapes should be left to air dry.

The ICAR and NRCG manual provides guidelines for dry grape production. It advises inspecting grapes for damage, washing in water, then soaking in ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate solution. The common solution ratio is 1.5% ethyl oleate and 2.5% potassium carbonate. Dip bunches for 2 to 6 minutes at pH 11.0-11.5. Use 10 liters for 80-100 kg of grapes.

How to wash grapes?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that farmers heavily spray grapes with pesticides. What’s on My Food states that grapes carry 56 pesticide residues, which include 8 probable carcinogens, 17 suspected hormone disruptors, and 10 neurotoxins.

The UK government’s “Dirty Dozen” list ranks grapes as one of the fruits with the highest pesticide residues. A study published in PMC also confirms that grape samples often have quantifiable residues of multiple pesticides, with boscalid being one of the most frequently detected.

If you want to make sure your grapes are super clean, use one of the methods below. Choose whatever you have in your pantry, but always make sure you have baking soda on hand because it also serves as an excellent grape-cleaning ingredient.

Cleaning Grapes:

1. Rinse grapes thoroughly in a sink.
2. Place them in a bowl with a few teaspoons of baking soda, salt, and warm water.
3. Let the grapes soak for 5-10 minutes.
4. Wash the grapes again with fresh water.

The salt acts as an abrasive, helping to remove dirt and wax residues. Cleaned grapes have a shiny appearance, while unwashed grapes retain their waxy coating. Clean grapes just before consumption to prolong their freshness.

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