Imported Shine Muscat grapes safe to eat if washed properly: Thai FDA

The Thai Food and Drug Administration ( Thai FDA) says that Shine Muscat grapes, imported from China, are safe to eat, as long as they are thoroughly washed in plain water or in water containing baking soda or salt.

This assurance came from Dr. Surachoke Tangwiwat, Thai FDA secretary-general, in response to a report from by Thai-Pan that random tests they conducted on 24 samples of the grapes, collected from vendors, supermarkets and wet markets, found 23 of the samples heavily contaminated with dangerous chemicals, which do not readily dissolve, even when the grapes are soaked in water.

He said that the public should not be overly concerned about Thai-Pan’s findings, adding that the tests show that the 36 types of pesticide detected in the grapes are within safety limits.

Before eating the grapes, he suggested that the fruit be soaked in a baking soda solution or plain water for 15 minutes and then rinsed under running water for 30 seconds.

Dr. Surachoke also said the Thai FDA has stepped up its controls on imported fruit and vegetables, to ensure that the amount of chemical residue is within safety limits.

Thai FDA officials will also join provincial public health officials in examining fruit and vegetables at packaging facilities, taking regular random samples for laboratory testing.