Fruit And Vegetable Care - Fisher & Paykel RB90S Installation Instructions And User Manual

Food storage tips – fresh food
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Fruit and vegetable care

The consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit continues to rise.
Busy lifestyles mean we shop less often and buy a greater range of
fresh foods. It is important that these fresh foods, including fruit and
vegetables, retain their flavour, texture and nutrients and stay safe
to eat for as long as possible.
There are three main reasons why fruit and vegetables deteriorate:
Respiration
Fruit and vegetables are highly perishable food products. They continue to ripen and respire
after harvest. They use oxygen from the air to convert their natural sugars to heat energy, carbon
dioxide and water. Once produce is ripe, the respiration process causes produce to lose quality
and food value. Refrigeration temperatures are the best method to slow down this natural
respiration process. The colder the temperature the slower most fruit and vegetables will ripen.
Micro-organism growth
Fruit and vegetables are usually covered with micro-organisms which will cause decay given the
right conditions. When fruits and vegetables are bruised, or the skin is broken, decay organisms
enter the product. Decay and rotting will then occur if it is exposed to warm temperatures.
Adequate refrigeration is the best method of controlling decay because low temperatures slow
down the growth of most micro-organisms.
Moisture loss
Another reason why fruit and vegetables deteriorate is loss of moisture which causes them
to wilt and shrivel. Fruits and vegetables contain approximately 90% water and water loss is a
major cause of deterioration. If fruits and vegetables are exposed to dry, refrigerator air, they will
quickly dry out.
A high humidity, cold air environment is therefore necessary to extend the storage life of fruit
and vegetables. This type of environment can be achieved by sealing the bins from the dry air in
the CoolDrawer. This significantly increases the storage life of fruit and vegetables, ensuring they
retain their crispness and remain a good source of essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.