Concerns have been raised by a nutrition expert regarding the potential health risks associated with consuming citrus zest. Jenny Tschiesche, a renowned author known for her cookbooks and expertise, took to TikTok to share her advice on the matter.

In a video, Jenny urged consumers to be cautious about the easy peelers they purchase and the chemicals they may have been treated with. She specifically highlighted the risks of using zest from mandarins grown in South Africa, cautioning against incorporating it into food or cooking the whole fruit due to potential harmful treatments.

Jenny emphasized that citrus zest may not always be safe for consumption, revealing that many supermarket mandarins and tangerines are treated with various fungicides like imazalil, 2,4-D, pyrimethanil, thiabendazole, fludioxonil, and azoxystrobin. These chemicals, if consumed regularly or in high concentrations, can have adverse effects on health, affecting the liver, endocrine system, and causing irritation or metabolic disturbances.

While regulatory agencies such as EFSA and FDA have set maximum residue limits to ensure safe consumption levels, Jenny advised against using the zest or eating the peel of fruits treated with these substances unless thoroughly washed and scrubbed.

Responding to a query about alternatives for zest, Jenny suggested washing the fruits diligently or opting for organic options that contain fewer or no fungicides. She also highlighted that some recipes require using zest or the peel of citrus fruits, emphasizing the importance of being cautious when handling such produce.

Additionally, the Pesticide Action Network UK warned about the high pesticide residues found in citrus fruits, particularly in the peel, which can lead to dermal absorption issues, especially in children. The organization advised consumers to be mindful of the potential risks associated with using citrus zest and handling fruits treated with fungicides to prevent health complications.