Baby Carrots are BLEACHED!

So my mom emailed me today, it's one of those emails you get all the time warning you of some health scare that is usually false. I decided to look this one up and turns out, this one mommies is real. Baby carrots, the ones that are peeled and look like fingers, are made from malformed carrots that can't be sold as a whole carrot so they cut them down and sell them as baby carrots, prepackaged and ready to eat. I knew this already. What I didn't know is after these baby carrots are made, they are dipped in a water and chlorine solution to preserve them and prevent them from developing a chalky white dried out look which happens since the skin has been removed (Similarly, apples turn brown once cut). Chlorine!!! I don't know about you but I for sure don't want to be feeding my kids carrots that have been dipped in chlorine, especially when there are other options. Now I'm wondering, are all prepared fruits and vegetables treated in some way to make them last longer???

Better to buy and eat whole carrots that are sold with the skin on or go organic. (Thanks mom)

Here is some more info:

"Baby carrots are not as nutritious as full whole carrots, because a lot of the goodness in carrots is contained in the skin and just below it. This is removed in the baby carrot making process.

After harvesting, the carrots are washed in chlorinated water, just like our drinking water, and cleaned to remove dirt and mud. Some finished baby carrots are washed, or dipped, by a further chlorine solution to prevent white blushing once in the store. There is no evidence that this is harmful, but it is worth knowing about!. However organic growers use a citrus based non toxic solution called Citrox."

In case you were wondering, REAL baby carrots actually look like carrots and are sold with the skin on.