Why is wax added to the peel of citrus fruits?
Citrus fruit is washed in the packinghouse to remove debris and field dust that accumulate during the growing period. In order to prevent abnormal shrinkage and shriveling and thus extend the shelf life of the fruit, a very small quantity of food-grade non-animal source wax is used to replace the natural wax that is removed during the washing process. The waxes have been tested and approved for use on foods and meet the requirements of the U. S. Food & Drug Administration.
