Cutting watermelon without washing it increases the risk of poisoning

Prof. Dr. Ali Demir, a Gastroenterology Specialist at Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, stated that watermelon, a popular and frequently consumed fruit of the summer season, can pose serious health risks if it is cut without being properly washed. Stating that watermelon can carry various microorganisms from the field to the table and that it is therefore of great importance to consume it under hygienic conditions, Demir said, "As you know, watermelon is a food source that is taken from the field and offered for consumption. Therefore, it is possible that it carries all the microorganisms found in the field. The microorganisms on it will inevitably be those coming from the field. If watermelon fields are irrigated with contaminated water found in the field, the diversity and variation of microorganisms will inevitably be different. For this reason, we need to take into account that there could be all kinds of microorganisms. There could be gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and bacteria such as typhoid and salmonella, which may also be found on the outer part of the watermelon."

"BACTERIA ON THE WATERMELON RIND CAN PASS TO THE INSIDE IF THERE ARE CRACKS OR DAMAGE"

Stating that harmful bacteria on the outer surface of the watermelon can pass to the inside, especially if there are cracks or damage on the rind or if it is cut without being washed, Prof. Dr. Demir noted that this situation can lead to food poisoning and said, "If there is any damage or cracking on the rind of the watermelon, it is possible for them to pass to the inside, or if the outside is not cleaned well while the watermelon is being cut—which must be cleaned by washing—then it is possible that we push those bacteria on the outside into the inside of the watermelon at the moment of cutting. In this case, we may inevitably ingest those bacteria into our digestive system. One of the diseases our public fears most is salmonella. It causes diarrhea and fever; it is the microorganism commonly known as typhoid among the public."

"IT SHOULD BE CONSUMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"

Prof. Dr. Ali Demir stated that watermelon should be consumed as soon as possible after being cut, saying, "If a portion of the watermelon is eaten and a portion is to be stored after it is cut, it should be covered in a way that it does not get air, in a protective manner. It should be consumed within a day or two. If it is not consumed, it will inevitably start to show signs of spoilage. It can inevitably become a source of infection. Therefore, it should be consumed as soon as possible, within a day or two. Covering the outer part so that it does not get air slows down spoilage and can be a protective factor."

When asked whether they wash watermelons before cutting them, some citizens said they always wash them before cutting, while others said they never wash them.