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If I am recalling correctly an article that appeared in the magazine "This
Old House," many foods, possibly apples, can be coated with shellac, which
is a product derived from some insect or other in India.  Actually, the
insect can be found elsewhere, but the gathering and initial processing of
the insects is so labor intensive as to require extremely poor people who
are willing to do the work for a pittance.  The final processing of the
polymeric material into shellac is evidently carried out by one large New
England firm before it is sold to food and pharmaceutical companies for
coating fruits or pills, and so forth.
 
Don Kasarda, Albany, California
 
[log in to unmask] wrote:
 
>> It's really a question.... does anyone know what they coat fruits &
>> veggies with (commercial produce)- the waxy substance on apples, and
>> cucumbers? I am asking because I ate an obviously waxed Granny Smith
>> green apple & had a mild reaction- to a piece of fruit!