Before the proverbial ink was dry on my listeria and lettuceblog, yet another scary headline emerged that appeared to question the safety of eatingfrozenproduce. I am beginning to think there is a conspiracy in the media to discourage people from eating fruits and vegetables. And as a registered dietitian this is disappointing as my colleagues and I are doing everything we can to encourage folks to eatmoreproduce. That’s because only one in 10 people in the U.S. consumes the recommended daily servings of fruits and veggies. Packed with nutrition, I promote all forms of fruits and vegetables to make it easy for people to eat more: fresh, frozen, canned, dried and juice.
First, let me share all the reasons I love frozen fruit.
Frozen food manufacturers are very diligent in making sure fruit is safely processed and packaged to prevent foodborne illnesses. Frozen fruit is thoroughly cleaned, washed and flash frozen within hours of being harvested. Once frozen, no bacteria can grow but, contrary to popular belief, freezing does not kill bacteria or viruses. That’s why so much care is taken to clean the fruit well before it is frozen, just like we wash fresh fruit at home that is purchased at a supermarket or farmers’ market.
So back to the scary headlines. Last week theWashington Postreported on a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) program that is testing frozen berries for hepatitis A virus and norovirus. According to the FDA website, in 2019 and 2020, the agency will collect and test samples of U.S. grown and imported frozen packaged strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from processors, distribution centers, warehouses and supermarkets.If they find hepatitis A virus or norovirus, FDA will notify and work with the company to take action to protect the public health, such as issuing public warnings or instituting a product recall. (1) ThePostarticle stated that since the inspections began in May, FDA has recalled one brand of a frozen blackberry product and one of a blended berry product that were found to contain parts of the hepatitis A virus. While the FDA advised consumers not to eat and to throw away the specific berry products identified, they noted that nocases of hepatitis A had been linked to them. (2)
Why would berries contain viruses or bacteria? They may become contaminated if handled by an infected worker who does not wash his or her hands properly or if the berries are exposed to a contaminated surface or agricultural water. As I mentioned earlier, bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can survive at low temperatures, including freezing. That’s why the industry is so diligent in its food safety practices.
Foodborne illness is a serious issue so we are very fortunate in the U.S. to have government agencies like the FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)who are vigilant in setting standards and monitoring the safety of our food so that we have the safest food supply in the world.
ThePostarticle also quotes Dr. Donald W. Schaffner a food science professor at Rutgers University who states thatFDA tests for the DNA of the two viruses and the recall do not meanthe berries contained the whole, live hepatitis A virus that causes illness. He goes on to say that he is not changing his berry eating habits as a result of this report because they are “safe, healthy foods” and “We want people to eat more fruit and vegetables.”
And the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics agrees. Anarticleon their website by registered dietitian nutritionistEsther Ellis says,“Frozen foods are an affordable way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. In fact, families who incorporate frozen foods into their normal routine may have better diet quality.”
References:
- Microbiological Surveillance Sampling: FY 19-20 Frozen Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries)https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/microbiological-surveillance-sampling-fy-19-20-frozen-berries-strawberries-raspberries-and
- Public Health Alert Concerning Hepatitis A Virus Contamination of Kroger Brand Frozen Blackberries and Costco Kirkland Signature Brand Three Berry Blendhttps://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/public-health-alert-concerning-hepatitis-virus-contamination-kroger-brand-frozen-blackberries-and
FAQs
Combine that with the fact that frozen berries contain the same nutrients as freshly harvested berries, and maintain those nutrients for months or years while being stored in the freezer, and it is easy to see why purchasing frozen berries is a good idea.
How safe are frozen berries? ›
Once frozen, no bacteria can grow but, contrary to popular belief, freezing does not kill bacteria or viruses. That's why so much care is taken to clean the fruit well before it is frozen, just like we wash fresh fruit at home that is purchased at a supermarket or farmers' market.
Do frozen berries spike blood sugar? ›
Pre-diabetics and those who are insulin resistant have specifically benefitted from frozen raspberries at breakfast time. This is because they reduce blood sugar spikes with lower amounts of insulin after meals.
Is it OK to eat frozen blueberries everyday? ›
Generally, adding a 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to your daily diet is a healthy and reasonable amount. Even 1/3 cup a day has been associated with a reduced disease risk. This amount provides a substantial dose of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.
Should you wash frozen fruit before eating? ›
Eating Unwashed Frozen Produce Is Generally Safe
The USDA states that eating packaged fruits and vegetables labeled as "pre-washed" or "ready-to-eat" without additional washing is safe.
Should frozen blueberries be rinsed? ›
Ideally, freeze your blueberries as they are and wait to rinse them when you take them out of the freezer. If you do prefer to rinse the blueberries first, be sure to dry well with paper towels, then transfer them to freezer containers or resealable plastic bags for freezing.
Are frozen berries not as healthy? ›
Not so. In fact, this myth has been proven to be untrue for quite a while. Way back in 1998, the Food & Drug Administration confirmed that frozen fruits and vegetables provide the same essential nutrients and health benefits as fresh – great news for those seeking year-round healthy foods.
Can I eat frozen fruit everyday? ›
So, Is Frozen Fruit Safe to Eat? Absolutely! Frozen fruit is both healthy and safe to eat. With 80% of Americans not meeting the recommended daily fruit intake, it's really important to consume these foods, whether they're fresh, frozen, or canned.
What is the healthiest frozen fruit brand? ›
Earthbound Farm earned its recognition on our list of the best frozen fruit brands for their certified organic product range. None of their products are grown in environments that use toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers. As a result, all of their products are non-GMO, too.
Can you eat frozen berries as a snack? ›
Instead of or your children reaching for a sugary popsicle try snacking on some frozen berries, peaches or watermelon. You'll cool down and beat the heat!
7 Fruits diabetics should avoid consuming
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Frozen fruits and berries are safe to consume raw, cooked or even frozen out of the bag. However, frozen vegetables should always be cooked before consumption to minimize any foodborne illness risk. Luckily for us, there are several ways to make frozen vegetables just as delicious as fresh.
Which berry is best for diabetics? ›
Blackberries
Blackberries stand out as not only the best berry, but perhaps the best fruit for diabetics. Per 100 grams of fruit, they contain only 5 grams of sugar and an impressive 5 grams of fiber (6). High fiber diets help with glucose (sugar) metabolism, and can improve insulin sensitivity too (7).
Are packaged frozen berries healthy? ›
Freezing the berries to add to their shelf life does not take away too many nutrients. Hence, they offer similar health benefits as fresh berries. Besides their several health benefits like improving heart and skin health and aiding weight management, frozen berries have a long shelf life.
Is frozen fruit as nutritious as fresh fruit? ›
Research has revealed that frozen fruits and vegetables can have just as many vitamins -- and sometimes more -- as compared to fresh.
Are frozen raspberries healthy? ›
One cup of frozen red raspberries has just 80 calories and contains 6 grams of fiber! When compared to other berries, red raspberries are also one of the lowest in natural sugar. One cup of frozen red raspberries is an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber.
Are frozen berries cheaper than fresh? ›
Frozen berries are also roughly half the price of the fresh varieties, which often sit in storage or on supermarket shelves for days. So next time you're making a smoothie, a bowl of cereal or a baked treat, throw in a few berries from your frozen stash to boost your intake of antioxidants.
