Are frozen strawberries and blueberries gross... Can I eat them right away without washing?

Frozen fruit is easier to store than fresh fruit. It also has the advantage of allowing you to enjoy both taste and health benefits by mixing it with Greek yogurt or other foods. When washing frozen fruit, the surface slightly thaws, but is it necessary to wash it before eating?

This depends on what type of food is written on the back of the frozen fruit packaging. The food type of frozen fruit is broadly divided into processed fruit and vegetable products and agricultural products. Processed fruit and vegetable products refer to processed foods that can be consumed immediately without washing, heating, or cooking. However, products classified as agricultural products may not have undergone additional processing besides freezing. This means they could be frozen fruits that have not been washed. When checking the packaging, if you see the words "processed fruit and vegetable products," it is safe to eat them as they are, but if you see the words "agricultural products," it is better to wash them under running water before eating.

Sometimes, it is difficult to verify whether products have been washed even when checking the packaging. Last year, the Korea Consumer Federation investigated 20 frozen fruit products, including frozen blueberries, mangoes, and strawberries, and found that about 25% (5 products) had cautionary labels that made it difficult to confirm phrases like "be sure to wash before eating," and 20% (4 products) did not specify whether they were agricultural products or processed foods. Subsequently, at a stakeholder meeting hosted by the Korea Consumer Federation, it was confirmed that all products without specified food types were agricultural products. If you are unsure whether a product has been washed, it is safer to wash it first.

There is another point to be careful about. When taking frozen fruit out of the freezer to eat, do not leave it at room temperature for a long time. This increases the risk of microbial growth. It is also not advisable to refreeze thawed frozen fruit.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that blueberries contain more nutrients when 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. There are also research results indicating that frozen blueberries are richer in vitamins. When left at room temperature, vitamins are easily lost due to sunlight and other factors, but freezing preserves vitamins well. According to a paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in the United States, consuming blueberries frozen allows for better intake of vitamins B and C compared to eating them raw.