We are used to going to the supermarket and buying fruit of all kinds, and even cut fruit. We almost always choose whole fruit, but when it comes to large fruit, we usually choose to buy it already cut. Now we know that it is not a good option and we are going to explain the dangers behind this harmless gesture.
Watermelon, melons, pineapples, papayas, etc. a long list of fruits that we see already cut and ready to eat, but what is a gesture of thanks because they facilitate the consumption of large fruits, can become a somewhat unpleasant story.
We refer to fresh fruits that are already cut and the vast majority only have a transparent film on top as a “protection” and shield from the outside, and, to make matters worse, they are not properly refrigerated. We are not referring to canned or vacuum packed fruits, or in plastic or glass jars that are perfectly refrigerated.
It is true that the law does not oblige supermarkets to refrigerate cut fruit , as long as it is going to be sold in less than 2 hours. How many times have we gone to a supermarket and seen short fruit, for example, half a melon or half a watermelon and they have stayed there for several hours.
At those hours that it takes to room temperature, we must add the journey home and if it is in summer and we put it in the car, that cut fruit already becomes a breeding ground for countless bacteria.
Whole or cut fruit?
Experts lean towards the whole fruit option. That is, if we have to leave home to go to work and between the lunch boxes there is cut fruit, or we go to the beach, a picnic, a route through the mountains, etc. cut fruit is not a good idea at all.
This is because the cut fruit does not have its protective layer, that is, the skin or rind. That is why at that time the chances of contamination by microorganisms increase. It is here where the Ministry of Health has issued several notices on numerous occasions.
It is always advisable to wash the fruit, even the peel, even if we are not going to eat it, because we know that there are inedible skins and peels. On the other hand, when we know that this fruit is going to be out of the fridge for more than two hours, it is best not to store cut fruit, but to choose other options such as banana or apple.
If the cut fruit is going to be in a refrigerator or cooling bag, it could be chosen, otherwise, better whole fruit and that they are resistant. Strawberries or blueberries are not a good option because their decomposition process begins very early.
Before choosing the cut fruit we have to make sure that it has received adequate refrigeration, and that the cold chain has not been broken. Therefore, if we see cut fruit in a supermarket, outside of a refrigerated area, it is best not to buy it.
Food poisoning risks
The fruit, like other food, has live microorganisms and that is what causes poisoning later. This can be mild, such as basic, moderate diarrhea, which depending on the symptoms or the age of the person who suffers it, will need medical help or not, and there is also serious poisoning that there are hospital admissions and the entire protocol.
Buying or taking away from home (without adequate refrigeration) short fruit exposes us to suffer a more or less serious poisoning caused by bacteria such as salmonella (serious disease), listeria or the dangerous E. coli.
These pathogens can be in the fruit, in dirty hands and even in the utensils with which it has been cut, so that it can be contaminated and nobody knows it. For example, E. coli bacteria are able to adhere to the knife and contaminate all fruits and foods as they pass.
Salmonella is quite dangerous, and that is not only because of its symptoms, but because it spreads rapidly in our body. Salmonella spreads when the cold chain is broken, so it is not recommended to buy cut fruit, such as cantaloupe or watermelon, without refrigeration.
Another important detail is that we have to calculate well the route from the supermarket to the refrigerator in our house. That journey by car, with all the sunshine and 35 degrees (or in winter with the car heating), is paradise for bacteria in short fruit and in raw meat or fish.
Basic tips not to get intoxicated
We can’t work a miracle and eliminate salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, hopefully, but we can give you some basic tips to reduce your chances of ending up with food poisoning.
These microorganisms attack any body, that is, be it a child, an adult or an elderly person. Also, it is quite serious if a pregnant woman becomes infected with one of these bacteria. That is why we always call for sanity when it comes to food and always respect safety measures.
- Avoid cross contamination. That is, do not store cut fruit with raw meat or fish.
- Try not to break the cold chain.
- Choose, preferably, uncut fruit.
- Wash fruits and vegetables and utensils very well.
- Do not subject food to sudden changes in temperature.
- If we know that the food will be at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it is best to choose whole fruit or not to bring it.
- Buy only fruit that is refrigerated.
- Pregnant women should not eat short or unwashed fruit.
- Decant for fruits that last several days such as apples, oranges, tangerines, bananas, etc.
- Buy the amount of fruit that we are going to consume in the next 5 days at most.
- Choose options of frozen fruit, canned (without sugars), or vacuum packed, in a protective atmosphere or natural in its juice.
