The Truth About Grocery Store Misting…That’s Not Water Being Sprayed On Vegetables & Fruit. At one time or another, we’ve all been “misted” at the grocery store….But that’s not WATER!! It’s called
Produce Maxx, A Chemstar Product, Contains Sodium Hypochlorite, Commonly Known As Liquid Bleach.
1⃣The tiny misters in your grocery store produce section contain antimicrobial sprays that are leaving your fresh fruit & vegetables covered in chemicals — even if they’re organic.
2⃣Chemstar’s “Sterilox Produce Maxx” product is an antimicrobial fruit & vegetable wash used by more than 50 retail brands across more than 10,000 stores throughout North America. FDA & EPA approval for all produce including certified organic.
3⃣Produce Maxx, which is just one type of antimicrobial spray used on produce, contains Sodium Hypochlorite, a form of free chlorine, at a high concentration of 6,000 parts per million (ppm).
4⃣For comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends free chlorine concentrations of no more than 4 ppm for maintaining safe drinking water.
5⃣Similarly, in swimming pools & spas, free chlorine levels are typically maintained within the range of 1 to 3 ppm to ensure effective disinfection without causing irritation to swimmers.
6⃣Chlorate, one of the byproducts of Sodium Hypochlorite degradation, poses health risks. Human exposure to chlorate can cause gastritis, toxic nephritis, hemolysis, methemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria & acute renal failure.
👇Produce Maxx Package Insert👇
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/046597-00004-20210624.pdf
👇Chemstar Corporation Produce Maxx👇
https://chemstarcorp.com/producemaxx/
👇The Harms Of Ingested Sodium Hypochlorite👇
https://mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/sodium-hypochlorite-poisoning
Please watch your young children/grandchildren who are standing nearby/under these misters! Chemstar Says Avoid Inhaling Vapors & They Have Legal Immunity If You’re Harmed. Produce Maxx isn’t just confined to the misting sprays at select grocery stores; it’s even used in pre-cut vegetables & fruit! It serves various purposes, including misting, crisping treatment & washing. Chemstar advises customers to avoid inhaling vapors, sprays & mists…& the fine print absolves them of liability for any problems arising from the product.
Produce Maxx:
✅ Requires a minimum soak time of 90 seconds to be effective
✅ Controls spoilage-causing bacteria to extend shelf life
✅ Approved for use on whole & cut fruits & vegetables
✅ No water rinse required after application
Produce Maxx Used In The Following Ways:
This chlorine-based solution isn’t just being used in washing—it’s also being misted directly onto produce that sits on store shelves.
Common Produce Maxx applications include:
➖Crisping – Keeping leafy greens & vegetables looking fresh
➖Washing – Used during pre-packaging or store handling
➖Cut Fruit Preparation – Treating ready-to-eat produce
➖Misting – The mist you see in grocery stores is not water
Some of the major grocery chains using Produce Maxx:
🔺 Albertsons
🔺 Vons
🔺 Sprouts
🔺 Amazon Fresh
🔺 Ralph’s
🔺 Safeway
🔺 Whole Foods
🔺 Smart & Final
🔺 H-E-B
🔺 Cub
🔺 Stater Bros
🔺 Raley’s
🔺 Save Market
“To Maintain Freshness” omg…seriously!??? This is the warning label on your citrus products. I just happened to be at at our local upscale grocery store, when I took this picture – but it’s everywhere on all citrus bags. They are spraying three different fungicides on your citrus! Washing does not stop the fungicide from seeping through the rind and entering the fruit. 
This is what AI said about it: fungicide: Can pose health risks? Fungicides on oranges can pose health risks, particularly for children. Conventional citrus fruits, including oranges, may contain harmful levels of certain pesticides, which can be concerning for consumers2. While organic oranges typically do not have detectable levels of fungicides, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with conventionally grown citrus1.
Carnauba wax or resin? Carnauba wax is used for car finishes to protect the paint job from the blazing sun….Uh…no thanks! Here’s more info: Imazalil is not only a hormone disrupter; the EPA classified it as “likely carcinogenic to humans” in 1999. And according to the EWG, “The average concentration of imazalil detected in all fruits tested was about 20 times the amount that EWG scientists recommend as a limit to protect children against increased risk of cancer…” Similarly, in an assessment of thiabendazole, the EPA has stated that it is known to cause “harm to the immune and nervous systems and thyroid in adult animals.”
Along with the whole fruit, commercially produced juices—particularly orange—are also problematic. USDA testing of 176 non-organic orange juice samples found that 21% had detectable levels of imazalil and 35% had thiabendazole. The one bright spot here is that juices usually contain less of these fungicides than whole fruits. Fruits harvested for juicing are typically processed right after they’re picked, which reduces the need for post-harvest fungicides. I hate posting this type of thing, but you gotta know 
– Despina
The symbols on food in the United States are shown below. These different stickers placed on packages DO NOT MEAN the same thing. Please do not buy the “verified” products. We don’t either. Stay safe. Eat healthy. Be well:
It’s summer in Florida – let’s get grilling! But always know the correct temp of the food to keep the family safe:
Throw it out? Keep it? here’s what you need to know – Classroom Tips:
