This year 210 kg of vegetables were not allowed to be sold in Khmelnitsky markets due to the excess nitrate content. Harmful substances were found in tomatoes and radishes.

Buy early vegetables in the markets of the Khmelnitsky region is not a problem. However, doctors say that the first vegetables are not always useful, and sometimes they can also be dangerous.

“There is a laboratory on every food market in the region that carries out veterinary and sanitary examination of products. Early vegetables are checked for nitrate content. This year, in the Khmelnitsky region, 20 kilograms of tomatoes and 100 kg of radish were not allowed to be sold due to the excessive nitrate content, ”said Alexandra Titarchuk, head of the food safety department of the Main Directorate of the State Food and Beverage Service in the Khmelnitsky region.

Before buying young cabbage, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers and other early vegetables, experts advise to adhere to several rules.“Make purchases only in food markets, where a laboratory operates that checks the nitrate content of products. Each seller must have an expert opinion of the state laboratory of veterinary and sanitary examination, in which you can find all the necessary information about the origin of the products, including the results of studies on the content of nitrates, ”says a food hygiene doctor at the Khmelnytsky City District Department of the Khmelnytsky Regional Laboratory Center Ministry of Health of Ukraine ”Valentina Schavinskaya.

The medic recalls that it is important to delay the consumption of early vegetables as far as possible in time, bringing it closer to the season of natural maturation.

“Wash vegetables and fruits well before eating. Peel the peel of vegetables, because most of the harmful substances are contained in the peel of the fetus, and in spring it is a place of accumulation of nitrates. This is especially true for cucumbers, zucchini, radishes and apples. Soak the fruit in water - in boiled water, it is possible with the addition of sea salt or lemon juice, in several passes for 15-30 minutes.

Eat a salad made from fresh vegetables immediately, because when it stays in the refrigerator for at least a day, it oxidizes and less harmful nitrates turn into more dangerous nitrites, ”advises Valentina Schavinskaya.