This is why you should NOT buy chopped fruit
Fruit is one of the essential foods in the diet, as it is a great source of nutrients for the human body. However, the fast-paced lifestyle makes pre-chopped fruit an attractive option for many people.
Although purchasing fura in this form is a practical alternative, the reality is that doing so is not recommended for several reasons.
Why is it not recommended to buy pre-cut fruit?According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , fruit provides essential nutrients for the body. It is typically consumed fresh (as in juices or desserts) thanks to its sweet and tangy flavor and intense, pleasant aroma.
You might be interested in: What happens if I eat watermelon at night?This same source adds that its shell is the "best case" for protection against harmful substances that often accumulate during the cultivation, storage, and transportation processes.
Eating pre-chopped fruit is a common habit, as it is easy to find in supermarkets, fruit shops, street vendors, and grocery stores.
When it comes to the benefits of this practice, convenience undoubtedly tops the list. However, the downside is that it tends to be more expensive than whole fruit.
According to the American website Dine Market, this is due to manufacturing costs and, especially, the packaging in which the final product is presented.
Furthermore, it is not recommended to buy pre-cut fruit because, once the peel is removed, the natural protective barrier is replaced by a wrapper (often made of plastic) that, when discarded, has a negative environmental impact.
Check this out: Women's Welfare Pension: How old do I have to be to enroll in June 2025? Is it healthy to eat chopped fruit?While chopped fruit seems like a quick alternative, it's important to be cautious because it has been previously handled and, lacking its protective peel, increases the risk of contamination.
For example, the specialized website Healthline published an article advising against buying pre-cut melon without knowing its origin. At the same time, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of an outbreak of salmonella-contaminated produce.
In his text, Dr. Patrick Penfield, a professor at Syracuse University, explained that such contamination can occur at different stages of the supply chain.
Similarly, the Community of Madrid citizen information platform indicated that, during the production, transportation, or storage process, fruits can become contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, or Escherichia coli.
Don't miss: Valeria Márquez's friend breaks her silence, THIS is what she said about the caseIf they are manipulated (by being peeled or cut), these pathogens can easily be transferred to the edible part, since its protective shell has been removed.
Whether touched with unclean hands or by using contaminated surfaces and utensils (such as knives or cutting boards), chopped fruit is at risk.
Furthermore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warns that if cut fruit is stored at room temperature, bacteria such as salmonella can multiply without any noticeable deterioration in its appearance.
Finally, its nutritional composition is affected, as water loss is accelerated and the concentration of water-soluble vitamins is reduced. Therefore, its shelf life is reduced.
Considerations for eating cut fruitIf you wish to consume the fruit in this presentation, the Community of Madrid suggests:
- Discard cutting fruit that is very ripe or has wounds or cracks on the surface.
- Store chopped, peeled fruit and unpasteurized juices at a temperature below 4°C.
- Allow cut large fruits (such as melon, watermelon, papaya, and pineapple) to remain at room temperature for up to 3 hours.
- Ensure that establishments that sell chopped fruit have regular time and temperature monitoring.
- Prefer chopped fruit in small quantities and consume it as soon as possible.
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