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How safe are pre-cut fruits and veggies on Blinkit, Instamart, BigBasket?

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For those who live alone, the struggle to maintain a healthy diet is all too familiar. Gone are the days when your mom would walk into your room with a plate of freshly cut fruit, a gesture that might have seemed annoying back then but now feels like a luxury. Now, you’re not just missing out on a ready meal at the dining table; you’re left chopping your own onions just to whip up a simple egg omelette.

Enter services like BigBasket, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart, modern-day knights in shining armour for anyone who dreads the daily grind of cutting fruits and vegetables. These online platforms offer the convenience of ‘fresh-cut’ produce delivered at lightning speed, making it easier to stick to home-cooked meals.

But is relying on pre-cut fruits and vegetables truly a healthy practice? Let’s find out what the experts have to say.

Are they safe?

Kanika Narang, deputy manager of the dietetics department at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, tells India Today that pre-cut fruits and vegetables from online stores can be safe if handled and stored properly.

She mentions that there is a risk of contamination during processing, packaging, and transportation, which can occur through physical, chemical, or biological means.

  • Physical contamination can occur through exposure to dirt, dust, or other foreign particles.
  • Chemical contamination can occur through exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, or other harmful chemicals.
  • Biological contamination can occur through exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

To minimise risk, she recommends choosing reputable stores, checking for proper packaging, and storing pre-cut produce in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40°F (4°C). With online stores, while one can manage the storage of pre-cut produce after delivery, it isn’t possible to inspect the store where the produce is sourced from or how it is packed.

Soumita Biswas, chief clinical nutritionist at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, also mentions that pre-cut fruits and vegetables offer convenience but pose potential risks.

“While stringent food safety regulations are in place, consumers must be vigilant, checking expiration dates, ensuring proper storage, and washing produce thoroughly. Even though pre-cut options save time, whole fruits and vegetables often provide superior nutritional value and safety,” she adds.

With pre-cut fruits and vegetables, there’s a risk of contamination (Photo: Getty Images)

Freshness and preservatives

According to Dr Archana Batra, a Gurugram-based dietitian, the freshness of pre-cut fruits and vegetables can vary widely depending on the supplier.

“Pre-cut produce is typically packaged in sealed containers, which helps maintain freshness for a certain period. However, exposure to air and the cutting process itself can cause fruits and vegetables to degrade more quickly than whole produce,” shares Dr Batra.

Regarding preservatives, she shares that some pre-cut supplies may have preservatives added to extend their shelf life and maintain their colour and texture.

Common preservatives include ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), citric acid, sulphur dioxide, calcium propionate, and sodium benzoate. “Preservatives can affect the nutritional value and flavour of the produce,” adds Kanika Narang.

However, not all pre-cut products contain preservatives, so it’s essential to read labels and choose options without added chemicals if possible.

What about nutritional value?

Soumita Biswas feels that pre-cutting can lead to some nutrient loss due to exposure to air and light. The extent of this loss depends on factors like storage conditions and time.

Further, Narang shares that pre-cut fruits and vegetables can retain their nutritional value if handled and stored properly. However, water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B may be lost due to cutting and exposure to air, water, and heat.

Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K may be retained better. Minerals like potassium, sodium, and calcium may also be retained.

Narang also mentions that while the expiry date of 3-5 days for such products is a guideline, the actual shelf life may vary depending on factors like storage temperature, handling, and initial quality.

Produce with higher water content like watermelon and strawberries may have a shorter shelf life compared to produce with lower water content like apples and carrots.

It is advised to consume pre-cut fruits and vegetables within a day or two for optimal freshness and safety.

One should also note that, compared to frozen or canned fruits and vegetables, fresh pre-cut options typically retain more of their original nutrients.

The gut talk

“The process of cutting and storing fruits and vegetables can sometimes result in a minor loss of fibre and nutrients, which is worth noting. Additionally, pre-cut produce may be more prone to bacterial contamination if not handled or stored properly, potentially leading to food-borne illnesses that could negatively impact gut health,” says Dr Adarsh CK, chief consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru.

The doctor adds that some pre-cut items might also be treated with preservatives or coatings to extend shelf life. While these are generally safe, they can occasionally cause sensitivities in some individuals.

Moreover, over time, pre-cut produce can lose its freshness and nutritional quality, which might diminish its benefits for gut health.

The pre-cuts might not be very good for your gut health (Photo: Getty Images)

Do experts recommend?

According to Soumita Biswas, pre-cut fruits and vegetables certainly offer convenience, but they might not be the healthiest or safest option for everyone. If you choose to buy them, opt for reputable brands and consume them quickly. For those prioritising nutrition and food safety, preparing fruits and vegetables at home is often the best choice.

Kanika Narang also recommends opting for whole fruits and vegetables and cutting them yourself to ensure maximum freshness and nutritional value.

Dr Adarsh CK adds, “The general rule of thumb is that any cut fruit or vegetable should ideally be consumed within four hours to ensure freshness and safety.”

What about the food-delivery salad?

“The salad that comes with food delivery might not always be the freshest. They are often prepared in bulk and kept in storage, which could compromise freshness and safety,” shares Dr Batra.

Additionally, pre-cut salads that come with outside food may contain preservatives and have a higher risk of contamination.

“The inability to wash ready-made salads increases the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria or contaminants that may be present. This is particularly concerning when considering the potential for microbial infections, which can be more easily avoided with fresh, home-prepared produce that can be cleaned properly,” mentions Dr Adarsh CK.

Now, click on check out

  • While buying pre-cut produce, always choose brands with a good track record for food safety.
  • Check the expiry date on the packaging and choose the freshest option available.
  • Ensure the packaging is intact; damaged packaging can indicate compromised safety and quality.
  • It’s also important how you store the pre-cuts. Keep the produce refrigerated and follow the storage instructions on the package.
  • Even though pre-cut produce is washed, it’s good practice to rinse it before use to remove any surface contaminants.

India Today tried reaching out to online services like Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart to understand how pre-cut produce is processed but was unable to obtain their point of view on the matter. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

Published By:

Mehak Malhotra

Published On:

Aug 19, 2024

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