27.03.2019 - Lebensmittel

Microbiology of fruit salads as a convenience product

Products such as freshly prepared fruit salads and already sliced fruit are in vogue with consumers, as they do not have to purchase and prepare each type of fruit individually. A variation of fruit varieties such as pineapple, apple, strawberries, blueberries, (honey and/or water) melons, oranges and grapes are often represented.

Due to the nutrient composition, such as the high content of carbohydrates, the no longer intact shell and the increased surface area, the fruit provides an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms such as Enterobacteria and Bacillus Cereus. These bacteria can, for example, reach the flesh of the fruit via the skin during processing.
The microbiological investigations of the CVUA Stuttgart from 2016-2018 showed a complaint rate of 9.5 % due to the hygiene parameter enterobacteria. The investigations were carried out independently of the date of minimum durability and the date of consumption. For the evaluation of the investigation, the guideline and warning values of the DGHM of 2011 were used for the assessment of cut and packaged fruit.

The detected bacterial counts of the samples complained of indicate contamination of the fruit pieces with germs during production and/or reproduction of the germs after production during storage of the fruit salads.

Source: CVUA Stuttgart