Myths and reality about the fresh-cut sector

All you need to know about the world of fruits and vegetables

Comunicazione Naddeo
Naddeo Technologies
3 min readMar 31, 2023

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Photo by Heather Barnes on Unsplash

Having correct information about food is more and more demanded among consumers, especially when it concerns fresh products, which are often consumed raw, with a short commercial life, such as fruits and vegetables.

Manufacturers must focus on correct information, innovate plants and processes to improve quality, safety and increase the product life.

Moreover, technological innovation will enable to meet the challenges of other product sectors.

All the fake news about the fresh-cut sector

The fresh-cut products represent an important segment of the fresh fruit and vegetable market, both in Italy and around the world. Ready-to-use fruit and vegetables, peeled, cut, washed and packaged in appropriate portions, represent an additional service to the consumer. Above all, they make it much easier to eat fruits and vegetables recommended by doctors and nutritionists for a healthy life-style.

However, there are lots of fake news about the fresh-cut sector. For example, fruit and vegetables in packaging are not safe and healthy, which is completely false because all the products are being washed, controlled and then put into packaging for the customers.

Here are some common myths and realities about this sector.

True/False about fruits and vegetables

Today fake news spreads at a speed that is difficult to control and does not spare the sector of salads in bags. Let’s find out together what is true and false about these products.

  • Should the fresh-cut products be re-washed?

False. The fruits and vegetables of the fresh-cut sector are subjected to at least two phases of continuous washing water. Industrial washing takes place through advanced systems that strictly use drinking water.

  • Do they contain preservatives?

False. No preservatives are added to fresh-cut products (any preservatives that may be present concern non-fresh vegetable ingredients or non-vegetable ingredients contained in certain products, such as olives or cheese).

Cold is the only element used to preserve freshness and quality of the products.

  • Once purchased, do I have to carry them home in a specific bag?

True. The maintenance of the cold chain is the only true preservative to protect freshness and quality used for fresh-cut products.

At the time of shopping, it is advisable to take fruits and vegetables last, as you should do for example for frozen foods.

The cold chain must then be respected even at the time of transport from the refrigerators at home; and it is recommended to use special bags for the cold.

  • Are the products of the fresh-cut sector as nutritious as “real” fresh fruit and vegetables?

True. The service offered by the fresh-cut sector consists in ensuring the consumer easily usable products and comparable in quality and nutritional values to vegetables cooked at home.

The reality is that Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as whole fruits and vegetables. The cutting and processing can cause some loss of nutrients, but this is usually minimal and can be offset by the fact that fresh-cut products are often consumed more quickly than whole products.

  • Are fresh-cut products sustainable?

True. Fruit and vegetables of the fresh-cut sector are already by nature among the least impacting and most sustainable within the food landscape. Companies are continuously investing in technological innovation aimed at making production processes more efficient by reducing the need for water and energy. The industrial process is considerably more efficient than the domestic one.

For example, the industrial washing process consumes about 90% less water than the domestic one, to get the same product and outcome. (We will explore this topic over the coming weeks).

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Keep following Naddeo Technologies so you don’t miss any information about the fresh-cut sector.

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