“Contamination on cantaloupes continues to be an issue,” says Marisa Bunning, PhD, a food safety researcher at Colorado State University who specializes in farm-to-table produce safety. While the smoother surfaces of honeydew melons and watermelons are a little less germ-friendly, outbreaks have been linked to these popular melon varieties, too. The good news? You can put a stop to the contamination in your kitchen. The fleshy part of the fruit is free of bacteria and viruses, unless you drag a knife through a dirty rind to slice it. With Dr. Bunning’s clinically tested tips for prepping a clean melon, you’ll enjoy them without unsavory side effects. Rinse the Rind. Wash your hands thoroughly, grab a good veggie brush, and give your melon a vigorous scrub under running water. Dr. Bunning suggests setting it down in a colander or bowl, so you can use both hands to cleanse the heavy fruit. Skip the soap—water alone is just as effective, she says. Dab Dry. Wipe away any moisture with paper towels. “Water can help protect the bacteria after you wash it,” Dr. Bunning explains. Clean Between Cuts. Once the rind is clean and dry, you’re ready to slice. Still, Dr. Bunning recommends rinsing and drying the knife between every cut. “It’s more work than we’re used to, but it’s one of the steps consumers need to take so bacteria isn’t transferred to the flesh,” she says. Eat Immediately. Eating the fruit off of a slice of rind is fine, but best done immediately after its been properly cleaned and sliced. However, if you’re serving young children, pregnant women, or older adults, Dr. Bunning says removing the rind before serving is best. Store Safely. Cut the entire melon every time—harmful bacteria living in your refrigerator can grow on the rind if you put part of it away, but washing it next time won’t be easy. Put rind-free leftovers in a covered dish for storage instead. “Food safety is farm to table, and the table end is where many problems occur,” Dr. Bunning says. “It takes a few minutes to prepare, but there’s a lot of good fruit to enjoy after that.” More from Prevention: 7 Mistakes Even Safe Cooks Make Eat By Numbers 13 Summer Fruit Dessert Recipes
