Are Lemons Dangerous To Your Health? TV Drama Sparks Concern

The potential dangers of lemons were featured on a TV drama and surprised reaction is pouring in. INSIDE EDITION has more.

A scene in a popular TV show that aired Tuesday night is causing a fury. Actress Gabrielle Union, playing a TV news anchor, reported on the hidden dangers of, get this, lemons!

Union's character claimed, "Clean water can be so boring. A lemon wedge adds a bit of zing. But too often, it also adds nasty microbes like E coli, fecal matter, and candida."

It came during the season premiere of the drama "Being Mary Jane" on BET. Viewers took it very seriously, and lit up social media.

"Did i hear that correctly? That there was bacteria in my lemon wedges?"  said one tweet.

"Things I learned during #BeingMaryJane: don't order lemon with your water," said another.

The TV warning could be accurate. The outer skin of a lemon can have harmful bacteria and pesticide residue. INSIDE EDITION'S Diane McInerney spoke with celebrity chef Marc Murphy, owner of Landmarc restaurant in New York City.

McInerney asked Murphy, "Can lemons harbor a lot of bacteria?"

"Absolutely. There are actually pores in there and what not so they can sort of dig their way in. I guess bacteria kind of finds its way everywhere doesn't it?" Murphy replied.

Here are some useful tips you should know before enjoying lemons:

Murphy told INSIDE EDITION, "Make sure obviously your hands have got to be nice and clean."

Next, rinse the lemon with cold water. Then use a clean brush to scrub the entire surface of the lemon. You should dry it with clean paper towels or a napkin. One more piece of advice? Use a clean knife to cut the lemon so you don't spread possible bacteria from the knife.

Murphy said to INSIDE EDITION, "Once you're done cutting your lemons you're going to put them all into a nice clean jar like this."

Useful tips after a TV drama that surprised so many.