"Stuffed with chemicals?" - Expert on the quality of early watermelons and melons

Watermelon is the most beloved and best-selling fruit of the summer months. This refreshing, sweet and thirst-quenching fruit can be found on almost every table. However, in recent years, concerns have been growing: cases of poisoning.

Recently distributed videos on social media claim that the nitrate content in watermelons significantly exceeds the norm. People filming videos with devices in their hands declare the product harmful, however, the accuracy of these tests raises additional questions.

BAKU.WS contacted an expert on this issue. Food industry technologist Aga Salamov, in his comment for our website, noted that such videos cannot be considered reliable. After all, it is unknown whether the watermelon or melon in the hands of the person filming is a local product currently sold in the market or imported from abroad. The person making the recording should indicate at which point of sale they purchased the watermelon:

"If you noticed, he takes the device out of the melon and inserts it into the watermelon. This is a completely incorrect method. The instructions state that the needle must be cleaned and treated with alcohol. Otherwise, the nitrate reading will be incorrect. I'm not saying that the nitrate level in all watermelons in the country is normal, no. Of course, raids should be conducted regularly in this direction. Watermelons with elevated nitrate levels should be removed from sale."

According to the specialist, the best watermelons ripen in late July - early August:

"The composition of watermelon directly depends on where it grew and under what conditions it was grown. It is necessary to know what preparations were applied to the product. Sometimes what farmers consider correct turns out to be a mistake. They increase the dose during processing, etc. As a result, the product ripens prematurely, and the dose of nitrates increases. It is best to buy watermelons and melons from rural residents. Usually they sell natural products. Most often, imported watermelons are grown in greenhouse conditions, or it is unknown whether they remained from last year."

The expert emphasized once again that the person filming the video should have definitely indicated the place where they purchased the product. This person speaks as if all watermelons and melons for sale are like that:

"But that's not the case... Rural residents have difficulty selling their products because of such things. Most often, chemicals are contained in products that are brought to market by dealers. They have the means to buy such preparations. A rural resident doesn't even have the opportunity to carry out treatment against weeds and insects. I'm not saying that these means cannot be used. Of course they can, just in a normal dosage."

"Now everyone takes a phone and, without understanding, films and talks. Specialists remain on the sidelines, while everyone expresses opinions on any issue. In this case, business is being harmed. Of course, if I film and share, I'm knowledgeable about the topic and know how everything happens. For many years, we have been conducting educational work for the complete safety of children, elderly people, pregnant women, and the sick. We don't want anyone to suffer. I filmed a video about a problem with a cable car at a certain recreation center. The door can open, and someone could fall. In that video, I indicated the exact address. In the above-mentioned case, innocent people also suffer. Damage is also done to the seller of quality goods," emphasized A. Salamov.