Danger of poisoning: Pay attention to these before eating watermelon and melon!
Ankara Training and Research Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Salih Cesur warned in a statement that fruits and vegetables consumed without adequate hygiene can cause food poisoning.
Cesur said that fruits such as watermelon and melon , which citizens often choose to cool off with rising air temperatures, can cause health problems if they are not stored and cleaned under appropriate conditions.
Cesur, who stated that social media posts about poisoning caused by melons and watermelons have come to the fore, stated that this situation is not limited to these fruits only and that similar risks can occur in all fruits and vegetables if hygiene rules are not followed.
COMMON BACTERIA AT RISK OF INFECTIONCesur stated that the most common causes of foodborne infections are bacteria such as salmonella, shigella and campylobacter, but also that viral infections such as rotavirus and norovirus and parasitic infections such as amoebic dysentery can also be seen.
Cesur emphasized the importance of paying attention to food hygiene to prevent bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, and offered the following warnings: "We must always wash our hands before eating food. It's important to soak food in vinegar water for 15-20 minutes when cleaning it. If the food is dirty and has been in contact with soil, we should soak it in vinegar water and then wash it thoroughly by scrubbing it. For example, if knives used to cut fruits like melon, watermelon, apple, or peach have previously come into contact with meat or poultry, we should clean them with a suitable detergent and rinse them thoroughly before using them. We consume watermelon and cantaloupe frequently during the summer months. Soaking fruits in vinegar water for 15-20 minutes and then cleaning them will definitely not cause food poisoning."
Prof. Dr. Cesur pointed out that if knives that have been in contact with meat or poultry products are used on fruits and vegetables without being sufficiently cleaned, the bacteria on these products can contaminate other foods, and emphasized the need for careful hand hygiene after washing and rinsing.
Prof. Dr. Cesur pointed out that fruits and vegetables carry a risk of infection if they come into contact with feces or bacteria, saying, "Bacteria such as salmonella and shigella can contaminate water and food, causing food poisoning. Salmonella is generally transmitted from chicken meat, while shigella is transmitted from contaminated water. Therefore, it is very important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly."
Cesur stated that fruits and vegetables can be consumed safely after proper hygiene conditions are met, and shared the following information: "Pre-cut foods, especially those that have not been stored under appropriate conditions and in a cool environment, should not be consumed. These can cause food poisoning. After slicing fruits like watermelon and melon at home, we should store them under appropriate conditions and consume them without keeping them waiting for too long. In the event of food poisoning, complaints such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite may occur 12-24 hours after consuming the fruit. In such cases, our citizens should consult the nearest health institution."
(AA) This content was published by Sedef Karatay
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