Watermelon safety guide: How should you store your favourite summer fruit? Here are four simple and easy tips

After four members of a family in Mumbai died within hours of consuming a late-night meal that included watermelon, doctors and medical experts are searching for answers. People are searching online for the correct ways to store a watermelon, how to identify a fake and a real watermelon, tests to do at home to check the fruit and so on. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) always advises people to stay cautious while buying fruit and do simple tests at home to check for adulteration in fruits like watermelon.

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Should you store it in a fridge?

Yes, you can refrigerate the watermelon and the optimal refrigerator temperature is between 35° and 38°F. Ideally, it is best to keep watermelon at room temperature for as long as possible, since refrigeration can dull its flavor, reduce nutritional quality, and alter its texture, making it firmer and less juicy.

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Correct ways to store watermelon

If you're not eating your watermelon right away, you should always store it on the countertop, but out of direct sunlight. The Produce for Better Health Foundation suggests leaving the fruit at room temperature to maintain nutrients and flavor. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, 55°F is the ideal temperature for a whole watermelon to be stored at.

How to store cut watermelon

When you are cutting the watermelon, wash the outside thoroughly and properly and use a sharp-edged knife. Take out the bottom of the rind and leave a flat surface for the rest of the carving.

If you like eating your melon cold, you can keep the fresh pieces into the fridge for an hour to chill. Make sure all the cut watermelon is tightly wrapped, in an air-tight food storage container or with plastic wrap (or an eco-friendly alternative) to preserve the texture and the juiciness.

How long can it last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the cut slices of watermelon typically stays fresh for about five days. However, its shelf life can vary depending on how it was cut and its ripeness at the time.

If the watermelon develops a slimy texture or a fizzy taste, it’s best to discard it, as these are signs that it has spoiled.

FSSAI tests to check watermelon purity

Here are some tests recommended by the India's food watchdog to spot possible chemical or colour tampering of the watermelon:

Paper or tissue test

Rub a slice of watermelon on white paper or tissue. If the colour transfers easily, it may indicate artificial colouring.

Check the surface

Look closely at the outer skin. Watermelons stored on the ground in warehouses can sometimes get exposed to pests or damage, so avoid fruits with unusual marks, cuts, or spots, as per FSSAI.

Glass of water test

Drop a few watermelon pieces into a glass of water. If the colour starts separating or bleeding excessively, it could suggest artificial colouring.

Cotton ball test

Rub a cotton ball on the watermelon flesh. If the cotton turns red, it may indicate added colour or injection-based tampering. A natural watermelon should not stain the cotton, suggests FSSAI