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 the type of food indicated on the back of the frozen fruit packaging. The food type of frozen fruit is broadly classified into processed fruit and vegetable products and agricultural products. Processed fruit and vegetable products refer to processed foods that consumers can eat directly without undergoing washing, heating, or cooking processes. 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.

 

If you see the words "processed vegetables and fruits" on the packaging, you can eat it as is, but

If you see the word 'agricultural products,' it's best to wash them under running water before eating.

 

Sometimes, there are products for which it is difficult to verify whether they have been cleaned, even when checking the packaging. 

 

Last year, the Korea Consumer Federation investigated 20 frozen fruit products, including frozen blueberries, mangoes, and strawberries. The results showed that about 25% (5 products) had difficulty confirming phrases such as "Be sure to wash before eating" on the warning labels, and 20% (4 products) did not specify whether they were agricultural products or processed fruit and vegetable products. Subsequently, at a company meeting hosted by the Korea Consumer Federation, it was confirmed that all products without a specified food type were agricultural products. If you are unsure whether to wash the product, 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, blueberries are known to be more nutritious when eaten frozen than when eaten raw.

 

According to a study by South Dakota State University in the United States, fresh blueberries contain an average of 3.32 mg/g of anthocyanins, while frozen blueberries contain an average of 8.89 mg/g. There is also research 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 helps preserve the vitamins. According to a paper published in the Journal of American Agricultural and Food Chemistry, consuming blueberries frozen allows for better intake of vitamins B and C compared to eating them raw.