Fisher & Paykel RB90S, RB36S manual Fruit and vegetable care, Micro-organism growth

Food storage tips – fresh food

35

Fruit and vegetable care

The consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit continues to rise. Busy lifestyles mean we shop less often and buy a greater range of fresh foods. It is important that these fresh foods, including fruit and vegetables, retain their flavor, texture and nutrients and stay safe to eat for as long as possible.

There are three main reasons why fruit and vegetables deteriorate:

Respiration

Fruit and vegetables are highly perishable food products. They continue to ripen or respire after harvest. They use oxygen from the air to convert their natural sugars to heat energy, carbon dioxide and water. This causes the product to lose quality and food value. Refrigeration temperatures are the best method to slow down this natural respiration process. The colder the temperature the slower most fruit and vegetables will ripen.

Micro-organism growth

Fruit and vegetables are usually covered with micro-organisms which will cause decay given the right conditions. When vegetables are bruised, or the skin is broken, decay organisms enter the product. Decay and rotting will then occur if it is exposed to warm temperatures. Adequate refrigeration is the best method of controlling decay because low temperatures slow down the growth of most micro-organisms.

Moisture Loss

Another reason why fruit and vegetables deteriorate is loss of moisture which causes them to wilt and shrivel. Vegetables contain approximately 90% water and water loss is a major cause of deterioration. If vegetables are exposed to dry, refrigerator air, they will quickly dry out.

A high humidity, cold air environment is therefore necessary to extend the storage life of fruit and vegetables. This type of environment can be achieved by sealing the bins from the dry air in the refrigerator. This significantly increases the storage life of fruit and vegetables, ensuring they retain their crispness and remain a good source of essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.