White powder on bananas

[JayJay]

@phb

If for example the withholding period was not followed and there were still pesticide residues on the skins, I wouldn’t be washing the skins as this likely to increase the likely exposure to those handling the skins and also spread the pesticide residues to places to where one might not want them. As composting usually takes 6+ weeks, any residual persticides are likely to have been well and truely degraded by the time the compost is used.

In our garden we try to be as organic as possible, and while I understand what you are saying, I would still be sceptical of the degradation of the pesticide. If I saw some white powder on the banana skin, before I put it in the compost I would wash away the powder under a tap, and wash my hands. Seems like a better solution.

[bobgroves]

A mixture of talc and insecticide?
They must be getting nostalgic.
That reminds me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbcHszMCIJM

[BrendanMays]

Thanks for sharing the response you received, very interesting.

[grahroll]

If it is talc is it asbestos containing as per the article by SMH of Reuters investigation re talc powders.

Ok I’m not convinced there is a problem and I will continue eating bananas whether skins have white powder, black spots, the bananas are straight or bent, whether they are lady fingers, cavendish, or some other variety. If concerned wash them before peeling probably is the best answer.

[gordon]

What about red bananas grahroll?

[grahroll]

Yeah I happily eat Red and Blue Daccas We grow them on our property. Some also call the blue ones Blue Java I think it is.