Frozen strawberries and blueberries are a bit weird… Can I eat them without washing them?

Frozen fruit is easier to store than fresh fruit.

 

Mixing it with Greek yogurt or other ingredients also offers the advantage of both flavor and health benefits. Washing frozen fruit causes the surface to slightly thaw. Is it really necessary to wash it before eating?

 

This depends on what type of food is listed on the back of the frozen fruit packaging.

Frozen fruit food types are broadly divided into processed fruits and vegetables and agricultural products.

 

Processed fruits and vegetables are processed foods that consumers can consume immediately without washing, heating, or cooking. However, products classified as agricultural products may be frozen and otherwise unprocessed.

 

This means the fruit may have been frozen unwashed. If the packaging says "processed fruit and vegetables," you can eat it as is. However, if it says "farm products," you should wash it under running water.

Sometimes, even when checking the packaging, it's difficult to determine whether a product has been washed. Last year, the Korea Consumer Agency conducted a survey of 20 frozen fruit products, including frozen blueberries, mangoes, and strawberries, and found that approximately 25% (5 products) had warning labels that included phrases like "Be sure to wash before eating," and 20% (4 products) did not indicate whether the product was an agricultural product or a processed fruit or vegetable product.

 

At a meeting with businesses hosted by the Korea Consumer Agency, it was confirmed that all products without food type labels were agricultural products. If you're unsure whether a product has been washed, it's safer to wash it before eating.

 

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that when taking frozen fruit out of the freezer to eat, don't leave it at room temperature for too long. This increases the risk of microbial growth. Refreezing already thawed frozen fruit is also not recommended.

 

Meanwhile, blueberries are known to be more nutritious when eaten frozen than when eaten raw. A study by South Dakota State University in the United States found that fresh blueberries contain an average of 3.32 mg/g of anthocyanins, while frozen blueberries contain an average of 8.89 mg/g. Other research also shows that frozen blueberries are richer in vitamins.

 

When stored at room temperature, vitamins are easily lost due to sunlight and other factors, but when frozen, they are better preserved. According to a study published in the American Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, frozen blueberries provide greater vitamin B and C absorption than fresh blueberries.

 

 

Frozen strawberries and blueberries are a bit weird… Can I eat them without washing them? © Provided by: Health Chosun