26.07.2025 13:20
Experts indicate that cutting a watermelon without washing it can lead to food poisoning from bacteria such as salmonella. Prof. Dr. Ali Demir emphasizes that the watermelon should always be washed before cutting and should be consumed shortly after it is cut.
Experts warn that consuming watermelon, one of the most consumed fruits in summer, without washing it and cutting it without paying attention to hygiene rules can lead to serious food poisoning.
Prof. Dr. Ali Demir, a Gastroenterology Specialist from Necmettin Erbakan University Faculty of Medicine, stated that cutting watermelon, a beloved and frequently consumed fruit in the summer season, without washing it properly can pose serious health risks. He mentioned that watermelon can carry various microorganisms from the field to the table, and therefore, it is of great importance to consume it under hygienic conditions. "As you know, watermelon is a food source that is taken from the field and presented for consumption. Therefore, it is possible that it carries all the microorganisms present in the field. The microorganisms on it will inevitably be those from the field. If the watermelon fields are irrigated with dirty water from the field, the diversity and variation of microorganisms will inevitably be different. Therefore, we need to consider that all kinds of microorganisms may be present. There may be gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and bacteria such as typhoid and salmonella may also be found on the outer surface of the watermelon," he said.
"BACTERIA ON THE WATERMELON'S SKIN..." Prof. Dr. Demir expressed that harmful bacteria on the outer surface of the watermelon can enter the inner part, especially if there are cracks or damage on the skin or if it is cut without being washed, stating that this situation can lead to food poisoning. He said, "If there is any damage to the watermelon’s skin, if there is a crack, it is possible for bacteria to pass into the inner part, or if the outside is not cleaned well when cutting the watermelon, which must be washed and cleaned, then at the moment of cutting, it is possible that we have pushed those bacteria from the outside into the inside of the watermelon. In this case, it is inevitable that we may ingest those bacteria into our digestive system. One of the diseases that the public fears the most is salmonella. It causes diarrhea, fever, which is a microorganism known as typhoid among the public," he stated.
"MUST BE CONSUMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE" Prof. Dr. Ali Demir emphasized that watermelon should be consumed as soon as possible after it is cut, stating, "If part of the watermelon will be eaten and part will be stored after it is cut, it should be covered in a way that does not allow air to enter, it needs to be covered protectively. It should be consumed within a day or two. If it is not consumed, it will 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 in a way that does not allow air to enter slows down spoilage and can be a protective factor," he said.
When asked whether they wash the watermelon before cutting it, some citizens stated that they always wash it before cutting, while others said they never wash it.