In a country where water per capita is one-third of the global average, limiting our 'foodprints' – or the amount of virtual water we consume through different foods – is a crucial step towards preserving China’s dwindling resource. That delicious slab of steak you gobbled up last week? It required 17 bathtubs of water to produce, or about 3,500 liters of water. The glass of beer you ordered to wash it down? That took 75 liters of water to create.
Fruits and vegetables (like humans) are what they eat. Whereas processed foods aren’t directly affected by the quality of water used in their production, fresh fruits and veggies soak up all the nutrients – and pollutants – from the water and soil where they grow. In Guangdong province, many rural farms use subpar tap water or groundwater to treat fields. Over time, invisible contaminants such as trace metals and bacteria seep into the roots and stalks of vegetables. Even organic produce could encounter untreated water and host a range of pollutants as a result.
“In the short term, you cannot tell the influence, but we know the air and groundwater in China are polluting fruits and vegetables,” says Juan Zhang, founder of Sunshine Fruits.
Zhang advises health-conscious customers to select imported organic fruit and hydroponic vegetables (which are fed filtered water) when possible.
READ MORE: Dark Waters: A Thirsty Shenzhen
Not sure how to distinguish what’s organic or not? You’re not alone. Zhang admits many grocery stores make it nearly impossible for customers (including Chinese-speaking ones) to detect true organic products from guileful posers.
“I was in Olé the other day and a sign said ‘organic’ when I knew the fruit wasn’t. Always check for certificates on the packaging to confirm.” The Chinese government has issued three official logos to differentiate between ‘organic,’ ‘not polluted’ and ‘green’ produce. Although you still won’t know the quality of the water used in cultivation, you can at least avoid additional toxins transferred from fertilizer, pesticides and growth hormones.
READ MORE: Guangdong's Mounting Water Crisis
[Cover image via Runner's World]
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