Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-FRU-113 standard review

Does peeling or washing remove pesticide residues?

Effects of food processing on pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables: a meta-analysis approach.

Overview

Keikotlhaile BM et al.. Food Chem Toxicol 2010 · PMID 19879312 · DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2009.10.031

Washing, peeling and cooking generally lower pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables.

Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: moderate

Study explained simply

What did the researchers want to find out?: Quantify processing effects on residues.
How was the study done?: Meta-analysis.
How many people, animals or samples were studied?: Processing studies.
What was actually found?: Residues reduced.
How large was the observed effect?: Ratios 0.10-0.82.
What do the results mean in everyday life?: Peeling can reduce residues where they are high.
What are the study's limitations?: Peeling estimate not separated.
What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?: Plausible reason for C-FRU-04.
Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?: Applicable.
What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?: It does not show health benefit from peeling.

How do household and industrial processing steps change pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables?

Study design: Meta-analysis – Meta-analysis of processing studies (response ratios)
Population: Processing experiments on fruits and vegetables
Country: International
Period: Literature to about 2009
Sample size: Not stated in abstract
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Studies measuring residues before and after processing.

Exposure / intervention: Washing, peeling, blanching, boiling, canning, frying, juicing, baking
Comparator: Unprocessed produce
Endpoints: Residue response ratio
Statistical methods: Meta-analysis of response ratios

Results: Blanching, boiling, canning, frying, juicing, peeling and washing reduced residue levels with average response ratios from 0.10 to 0.82; baking, boiling, canning and juicing showed both reductions and increases in confidence intervals.
Absolute risks: Not applicable
Authors' conclusion: Processing generally reduces residues, with variation by method.

Response ratios < 1 mean reductions.

Provides a plausible rationale for peeling apples and pears (C-FRU-04): peeling reduces surface pesticide residues.

I-FRU-114 (peel is rich in phenolics).

Applicable.

Supports a reasonable kernel for peeling.

Multidimensional assessment
Multidimensional assessment
Authenticity of the source	verified
Methodological quality	moderate
Risk of bias	some concerns
Precision of results	low
Directness	indirect
Reproducibility	replicated
Consistency with the overall evidence	consistent
Regional transferability	high
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)	not applicable

Health impact of residue reduction.