Would you be surprised to find out there are produce items at the 99 Cent Store? Well there are! Pictured here are personal photos I took while browsing the isles. Can you believe these prices?
Now, I know you may be thinking that there is no “Organic” label to reel you in, but let’s not assume this means these fruits and vegetables are not healthy for you at all. Organic simply means that the crops are not sprayed with pesticides to keep bugs and diseases from ruining them.
The Bad News
Many of the chemicals supposedly used on inorganically grown produce are actually prohibited by PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) Rules. Other guidelines include no tolerance limits for mineral oils and carbide gases- which are harmful to the nervous system. The Maximum Residual Limit (MRL) of pesticides are not allowed to exceed a certain amount provided by PFA Rules.
Where you might freak out is the fact that any amount of pesticides is permitted on fruits and vegetables, especially if they can cause: cancer, liver, kidney, and lung damage, behavioral and dermatological problems, insomnia, and irritability…the list could go on of pesticides’ harmful effects.
The Good News
There is a light at the end of this tunnel, however! Even inorganic foods (which are cheaper) or at least not Certified Organic foods can be quickly fixed with a little rinsing in the sink! To rid them of the majority of pesticides, either washing or peeling the food is most effective. Other obvious red flags to look out for are mold, fungus, or abnormalities like bruising or weirdly colored spots growing on the produce.
If we take precautions with these 99 Cent Store fruits and vegetables, then they can absolutely be just as tasty as the “good” stuff from our favorite expensive grocery stores *cough cough* Whole Foods and Sprouts. I mean, those tomatoes look pretty juicy if you ask me! I also cracked open one of the avocados already– it was at peak ripeness!
You may have thought there was no way around paying crazy high prices for healthy foods, but I am here to tell you that you can get fine quality for less. The fixings at 99 Cent Stores provide plenty of nutritional benefits we need in our diets- so remember, eating healthy doesn’t have to put a dent in our wallets! Try out your local 99 Cent Store’s fruits and vegetables for yourself (after giving them a good wash, of course).
