Video of raisin-making process falsely shared to claim ‘grapes cause cancer’

By: Nabeela Khan
April 5 2024

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Video claiming that grapes are dipped in pesticides and are harmful to health. (Source: Social media/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

What's the claim?

A video circulating on WhatsApp claims that grapes can lead to throat infection and are also a cause of cancer as they are dipped in pesticides. The 30-second clip shows grapes being washed in a white liquid substance as the anchor warns people against the use of chemicals. He goes on to ask people to wash the fruit in salt water before consuming it to be safe. 

The video has been shared on various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram.

A video claiming that grapes are dipped in pesticides and are harmful to health. (Source: Social media/Screenshot/Modified by Logically Facts)

However, the claim made in the video is false. There is no evidence to support the argument that eating grapes may cause sore throat, infection or cancer.

What did we find? 

On scrolling through the comment section of the video, we found several people pointing out that the video shows how raisins are made. 

Comment on LinkedIn. (Source: Linkedin/Screenshot)

There are various ways to make raisins from grapes. In India, grapes are either dried in sheds or dipped in a solution of ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate, as it allows them to lose water faster. We found several videos on YouTube (archive here) which showed this process. 

Taking a cue from all this, we looked at documents detailing the process of raising-making. A report by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — National Research Centre for Grapes (NRCP), an institute under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, explained that grapes are dipped in a solution of ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate for them to lose water faster. 

“The different brands of dipping oils are available in the market. Generally a combination of ethyl oleate (1.5 percent) and potassium carbonate (2.5 percent) is used for the purpose. Dip the grape bunches in the solution for 2 to 6 minutes. The pretreated bunches are then spread in single layer in side grape drying shed (sic),” the report reads. 

In an email response to Logically Facts, ICAR — NRCP Director Dr. Kaushik Banerjee reiterated that the video shows a regular practice followed while making raisins. 

“The viral videos on social media are defaming the Indian grape industry. In the particular scene of the video, it clearly shows that the grapes are being dipped in the white solution of ethyl oleate and potassium carbonate, which is a regular practice of raisin making,” he affirmed.

Chart explaining the process of raisin making shared by ICAR (Source: ICAR — National Research Centre for Grapes)

He also added that the table grapes, directly consumed by people, are not dipped in this solution. “Eating grapes does not affect the throat, and there is no scientific evidence of pesticides in grapes having an adverse effect on human health,” he said.  

 ICAR — NRCG also took to X to debunk the rumors.  

Vikrant Ghanekar, scientific officer at the biology cell of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, also reaffirmed that the video shows a common practice followed while making raisins.  

“Generally, a food-grade variety of chemicals is used in the food industry, and they are not as concentrated as lab chemicals. Therefore, they are generally safe. But a high concentration can be toxic,” he added. 

What about the link between an itchy throat, cancer, and grapes?

On being asked about the claims regarding grapes causing sore throat, Ghanekar said, “There are traces of multiple pesticides found on grapes, even so-called biopesticides, but there is no direct connection between sore, itchy throat with the presence of these chemicals.”

The video also claims that pesticides on grapes can cause cancer. However, Cancer Research UK highlights that “small amounts of pesticides or herbicides can be on the surface of what we eat. But levels are low and do not increase the risk of cancer in people.”

“One cannot directly link the presence of pesticides and insecticides with the cause of cancer. The government of India has already banned such chemicals,” said Ghanekar. 

Should grapes be washed with salt water?

The last part of the video advises people to thoroughly wash grapes with salt water before consuming them, an advice given to people universally. The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom also recommends washing fruit and vegetables before consumption. 

“About 75 percent to 80 percent of pesticide residues are removed by cold water washing. Washing with 2 percent of salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of fruits,” said Ghanekar. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research organization in India, washing fruits and vegetables with 2 percent salt water helps. 

The verdict

There is no credible evidence confirming that eating grapes may cause sore throat or infection. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) — National Research Centre for Grapes confirmed that eating grapes does not affect ones throat and there is no scientific evidence that pesticides in grapes impacts human health.