Mist or Myth? The Hidden Chlorine Spray No One’s Talking About

Is Chlorine Being Mist-Sprayed on Your Produce at the Grocery Store?

That gentle mist keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh at the grocery store might not be just water. While many shoppers assume this mist simply preserves freshness, it could actually contain chlorine—a chemical intended to prolong shelf life, not to enhance your health.

Meet ProduceMaxx: ProduceMaxx is an EPA-registered antimicrobial spray quietly making its way into grocery store misting systems nationwide. Approved for direct application onto produce, ProduceMaxx coats your fruits and veggies repeatedly, right there on the store shelves. Surprised? You're not alone.

Here's the deal: the key ingredient in ProduceMaxx is hypochlorous acid—a chlorine-based chemical similar to what's found in swimming pools, surface sanitizers, and even drinking water treatments. Sure, it’s effective at eliminating bacteria, mold, and pathogens, but what you might not realize is the chemical residue it leaves behind.

According to its EPA label, ProduceMaxx can contain chlorine levels up to 6,000 ppm. For context, the CDC limits chlorine in drinking water to just 4 ppm. Think about that—your fresh produce might get hundreds or even thousands of times more chlorine than your tap water, and it's going directly onto food that’s often eaten raw! If you have not been washing your fruits or veggies, I sure hope you will now!

Government bodies like the EPA and FDA assure us these chlorine levels are safe. Yet chlorine is known to cause respiratory issues, skin irritations, and eye damage with repeated exposure. Over time, this daily exposure could contribute significantly to your body's overall chemical burden. Even more concerning, chlorine can react with natural organic compounds to form trihalomethanes (THMs)—chemicals associated with increased cancer risks and other health complications.

Sprouts Farmers Market is one confirmed retailer using ProduceMaxx, but they're far from alone. According to Children’s Health Defense, more than 50 major grocery chains across over 10,000 stores in North America quietly use ProduceMaxx too. The kicker? Most stores aren't transparent about this practice, leaving you unaware of potential risks.

If this makes you pause, you're probably wondering what steps you can take.

Here's where you can start:

• Speak Up! Chat with your grocery store manager and ask directly if they use ProduceMaxx or any other chemical sprays on produce.

• Buy Local. Farmers markets offer transparency—talk directly with the growers about their methods.

• Rinse and Repeat. Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables. Even though chlorine residues can be stubborn, this step helps minimize your exposure.

• Peel Wisely. Peel fruits and veggies, especially those with thin, edible skins, to further reduce potential chemical ingestion.

  
  

Your fresh produce might look picture-perfect, but knowing it could be coated with chlorine spray raises important questions. It’s not just one grocery chain; it’s an industry-wide practice hiding in plain sight.

At TREVBI, we stand for transparency about your food—because we believe you deserve Transparency in Every Bite.

What do you think about chlorine-sprayed produce? Are you comfortable with this practice, or does it raise serious health concerns for you and your family? We'd genuinely love to hear your perspective.

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