This Is What Happens When You Accidentally Eat A Produce Sticker
Have you ever bitten into an apple only to realize that you took a chunk of the produce sticker with you? Fortunately, you don't need to be too worried. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed certain types of paper and adhesives as safe to consume, and produce stickers are made with those products (via New York Times). "Because produce stickers have contact with food, the intended use of these stickers is the subject of premarket approval by the Food and Drug Administration, to ensure that any substances that may migrate to food from the use of the sticker is safe," said a spokeswoman for the agency in an email. She added that "any exposure from the occasional, unintentional consumption of a sticker would not be expected to be a health concern."
However, just because you'll be okay if you eat the occasional produce sticker, it doesn't mean you should eat them on purpose. They're still made from paper and adhesives, which have no nutritional value. The FDA also approves produce sticker ingredients with the idea in mind that humans will not be eating them regularly.
The importance of regularly eating produce
Produce stickers can be a little annoying to deal with, but they shouldn't stop you from enjoying fruits and vegetables regularly. There are countless benefits to eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are essential for your health. According to the CDC, only about 10% of adults in the United States eat enough fruits and vegetables. These foods contain essential vitamins, minerals, plant compounds, and nutrients that we need to be healthy.
A diet that is full of fruits and veggies can offer many health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke, lowering the risk of eye diseases, preventing some types of cancer, and much more (via Harvard School of Public Health). They are also full of fiber and water, which can help promote weight loss. If you can't find fresh fruits and vegetables near you, don't worry. Frozen and canned varieties offer the same benefits. Just watch for added salt in canned varieties, which is often there to keep the food fresh.