How to Remove the Wax on Root Vegetables

Your and your family's health is an asset you support in your food preparation methods. While providing a vegetable-dense diet promotes health, you also want to make sure the vegetables you eat are free from toxins and additives. The FDA declares in its literature that waxes are applied to fruits and vegetables to "inhibit mold growth, protect produce from bruising, prevent other damage and disease, and enhance appearance." Typically wax is only applied to vegetables whose natural wax is washed off in the first parts of harvest, and root vegetables do not have naturally occurring wax coatings.

Create a Clean Work Area

• 1

  Get the water running in the faucet and hold your hands under the water.

• 2

  Apply soap to your wet hands, either from a bar of soap, or from a push of liquid or foam soap. Rub the soap all over the fronts and backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your finger and thumb nails.

• 3

  Continue rubbing your hands with soap for about 20 seconds, about the time to say the Pledge of Allegiance twice slowly, or sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself slowly.

• 4

  Rinse the soap off your hands with the running water. Turn your hands over to get the back sides and under the fingernails.

• 5

  Grab a clean cloth towel or paper towel to hold while you turn off the faucet. Dry your hands with the paper towel or cloth towel. You are ready to go.

• 6

  Wash off your counter top using a dishcloth dipped in hot, soapy water.

Wash the Root Vegetables

• 1

  Remove soil and wax by gently washing each vegetable one by one in running water. Do not use soap or detergent on the produce. Handle with care to avoid bruising. Use only a soft bristle brush or your hands.

• 2

  Allow the vegetables to air-dry by letting the water on them evaporate before you prepare to store them. Wisconsin county extension has found that vegetables that air-dry are less likely to rot.

• 3

  Store your root vegetables in a clean, cool area or prepare for a specific recipe.