Published Jun 28, 2024
Watermelon, a summer fruit with 92% water and 6% sugar, is valued for its high fibre content. However, many in the market are injected to appear redder. Wondering how to identify which watermelon is injected? Here's how it can be done:
Sometimes, you'll notice white or yellow powder on watermelon. It might seem like dust, but it could be carbide, used to ripen fruit faster. Wash the watermelon well with water before cutting to stay safe.
If a watermelon looks overly red, it might be injected. When you cut it, it could seem sweeter than usual. Look for burnt marks inside from chemicals. Even though it looks fresh at first, it might be starting to spoil.
Check for holes or cracks on the watermelon, as injected ones may have small openings. If you find holes inside after cutting, it's likely injected. Natural ripe fruit shouldn't have such marks.
In an injected watermelon, you can find chemicals like carbide, methanol yellow, lead chromate, and Sudan red dye, which pose health risks such as liver and kidney damage, cancer susceptibility, blood loss, brain cell damage, and digestive issues.
To avoid injected watermelons, look for the signs mentioned earlier. Also, wait 2-3 days after buying one. Watermelons can stay fresh for weeks, so waiting won't harm. If you see foam or water seeping out, it's likely chemically treated.