Dr. Varsha Gorey - clinical nutritionist at Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai (India) - said that although pre-cut packaged vegetables and fruits are quite convenient, they may not be as fresh and nutritious as when they are intact.
“If not handled properly, especially when these packaged foods are exposed to different temperatures and high humidity, they can create conditions for bacteria to thrive,” warns Dr. Gorey, who offers six tips to ensure pre-cut vegetables are prepared safely.
1. Need to consume quickly
Food temperature is important at every stage, from packaging to getting home. Even if food is labeled as requiring a specific storage temperature, the actual temperature during transport can fluctuate.
Temperature differences can spoil pre-cut foods, causing them to become more contaminated and susceptible to bacteria over time.
Remember, these vegetables have been exposed to air, oxygen and heat since they were cut and then put into the bag. As a result, their freshness has been affected and they will spoil faster, losing essential nutrients like vitamins and may be completely gone after 5 days.
2. Quality impact from food containers
Plastic, nylon, and aluminum foil can react with the food they come into contact with. Moisture in the air can increase the chances of food becoming contaminated in the bag. Therefore, it is best to consume perishable foods promptly or store them properly at the appropriate temperature.
If you must store the cut product, transfer it immediately to an airtight steel, stainless steel or glass container.
3. Need to clean thoroughly
Root vegetables like ginger or beets come into direct contact with soil and need to be washed thoroughly, even if they appear clean in the packaging.
In some cases, these foods must be cooked before eating. Bacterial infections may not show up right away, it usually takes 6-48 hours for symptoms to develop in the body.
4. Check if cut vegetables and fruits are dehydrated
You can check by looking at the color of the vegetables. If the food color is pale, this means that they have started to lose water-soluble nutrients such as vitamins.
5. Expiry date
You should always observe the packaging date and expiry date to ensure safety.
6. Some fruits may be coated with preservatives when cut.
Some pre-cut fruits, such as apples, may be coated with preservatives to preserve their freshness and color, so you should avoid buying pre-cut apples.
