Jakarta –
When eating dates, some immediately eat it just like that, but there are also those who choose to wash it. So what do you think of BPOM Saudi Arabia?
Dates are a popular fruit consumed during Ramadan. Besides being the Sunnah of the Apostle, eating dates is also good for health because dates contain a lot of nutrients, such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins (A – B – C – E). While dates contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants.
Although it looks clean and fresh, the food authority and drugs (SFDA) or BPOM Saudi Arabia suggest dates to be washed with water before consumption to reduce the chemicals used during the date palm planting process.
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Citing the official SFDA page, dates have the potential to be contaminated by chemicals such as pesticide residues and heavy and toxic metals. In addition, the fruit can also be contaminated with physical substances (foreign objects such as the presence of metal parts) or the growth of microorganisms (yeast and fungi).
The right way to store dates
 Photo: Istock |
SFDA states that there are several ways to preserve dates, including freezing in freezers that are considered as the best way, because cold temperatures can kill or reduce microorganisms and reduce bioproces and oxidation.
In the freezing process, it should be done at the lowest possible temperature.
Besides being frozen, dates can also be stored in a refrigerator for several weeks, with a note using the right packaging that helps reduce date exposure to humidity.
How long can dates be stored?
The dates storage period in the refrigerator can reach three months for several types, and can be preserved by the drying method. This method aims to reduce the humidity that helps the growth of microorganisms, because they keep dates in the humidity of 20% and store it at 25 degrees Celsius can extend the storage period of up to one year.
SFDA states that dates have many health benefits such as other types of fruit, but must be consumed in a reasonable way to avoid high blood sugar.
For this reason, diabetics are not advised to consume large amounts of dates and consult with specialists (doctors and nutritionists) to determine the amount that can be eaten every day.
This article has been aired on CNBC Indonesia with the title Is it true that dates must be washed before eating? This is said BPOM Saudi Arabia
(ADR/ADR)
