Citrus fruits are present on the Christmas and New Year tables of most Moldovans. In this regard, the National Food Safety Agency (NFSA) comes up with advice and recommendations on how to choose these products from the shelf and how to store them correctly, IPN reports.

According to the Agency, the Republic of Moldova annually imports tens of thousands of tonnes of mandarins, oranges, lemons and other varieties of citrus fruits. In the case of citrus fruits, pesticide residues are a food safety indicator. In 2023, 106 fruit samples were taken and examined, while in 2024 - 76 samples. The batches in which nonconformities are detected are destroyed under the supervision of NFSA inspectors.

Thus, food safety inspectors formulated a series of recommendations that citrus consumers should take into account:

- Avoid consuming citrus peels in large quantities, in the preparation of both drinks and desserts.

- Wash citrus fruits 30-60 minutes before consumption or keep them in water with baking soda for about 10-15 minutes.

- Purchase citrus fruits only from specialized places that are officially registered by the National Food Safety Agency.

- Pay attention to the appearance of the fruits! They must be clean, whole, healthy, without traces of mold, without damage caused by pests or frost.

Consumers have the right to ask sellers for documents confirming the safety of the products sold.