Modern families are smaller, and it's easy to have leftover fruit if you buy too much. To address this, many supermarkets or fruit vendors sell large fruits like watermelon in pre-cut pieces. However, from a nutritional and food hygiene perspective, it's best for consumers to avoid buying such cut fruits.
Peeled and cut fruit easily loses its vitamin C
Fruits are a primary source of vitamin C, which is prone to oxidation in the air. High temperatures and sunlight can also cause it to degrade, and the nutritional content of pre-peeled and cut fresh fruit may be reduced.
The UK Consumers Association conducted a study testing the vitamin C content of pre-packaged, cut vegetables and fruits sold in supermarkets. It found that in 13 samples, 4 had vitamin C levels that were half of the amount recorded in reference books.
Improper handling can easily lead to bacterial contamination
The surface of fruit is easily contaminated by pollutants, chemicals, animal waste, or bacteria like Salmonella. If fresh fruit hasn't been disinfected, its surface may harbor Salmonella. When a knife is used to cut unwashed fresh fruit, bacteria from the contaminated peel can be transferred to the edible part. If cut fruit is left at room temperature for too long, bacteria will multiply.
Therefore, when buying fruit, try to purchase whole, uncut fruit. If you must buy pre-packaged cut fruit, check that the packaging is intact, that it is stored in a refrigerated section, and that it has not expired. Additionally, after purchasing, store it in the refrigerator as soon as possible.