Walking through the produce aisle, it’s hard to resist the convenience of pre-sliced fruit and vegetables. Everything from melons and apples to carrots and celery is already chopped, peeled, and ready to eat or cook. At first glance, it seems like a total time-saver—but there’s more to consider than just convenience.
In a trending video with more than 112,000 views, content creator @darksidesmiley sounds the alarm on pre-cut fruit.
@darksidesmiley explains that he used to be a produce manager. So he knows the ins and outs of what goes into those packages, like the $10 bowl of precut watermelon, which is screen-replaced behind him.
Man Warns Against Buying Pre-Sliced Fruit. Here’s Why
“Just so you know, that stuff’s not good for you,” @darksidesmiley says before revealing something heinous.
“What they do is take the fruit that’s about to be bad, no matter what kind of fruit it is. And in order to get it in there and have it stay in there and not go bad while it’s in there, they soak it in bleach water,” he says, shockingly.
The former produce manager says he would personally never want precut fruit from a grocer again after his firsthand experience.
“It makes me sick to even think about. So stop eating those. They’re gross,” he concludes.
Is It Safe To Clean Produce In Bleach Water?
No, it is not safe to soak produce in bleach water.
Fruits and vegetables are porous. So chemicals like bleach can be absorbed and may make you sick if ingested. Even thorough rinsing may not remove all residues, and using soap, bleach, alcohol, or other disinfectants on produce is strongly discouraged, FoodSafety.gov states.
Instead, it’s best to clean produce by rinsing it under cold running tap water, scrubbing some items (like potatoes) with a clean brush, and drying with a cloth or paper towel.
Chemicals like bleach should be reserved for hard surfaces, like countertops or floors, where they can kill germs safely. When it comes to food, stick to water and a clean brush or cloth for safety.
The Real Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy Pre-Cut Fruit
Pre-cut produce comes with hidden downsides that can affect your wallet, your health, and even the environment.
Here’s why experts told Mashed they recommend skipping the pre-packaged option and sticking to whole fruits and veggies instead:
- They’re more expensive: Pre-cut produce comes at a premium—diced onions, cubed squash, and bagged greens cost significantly more than buying whole and prepping yourself.
- Nutrient loss: Once cut, fruits and vegetables lose water-soluble vitamins like B and C faster, and peeling can strip away fiber and other nutrients.
- Higher contamination risk: Cutting removes natural protective layers, making produce more vulnerable to bacteria during processing, handling, and storage.
- Shorter shelf life: Pre-cut fruits and vegetables spoil faster due to increased respiration, often lasting only a few days compared to weeks for whole produce.
- Bigger environmental impact: Extra processing, packaging, and refrigeration increase energy use and plastic waste, giving pre-cut items a larger carbon footprint.
- Flavor and versatility loss: Pre-peeled garlic, bagged greens, and cut fruits often have reduced flavor and limit culinary creativity, plus you miss opportunities like using watermelon rinds or customizing cuts for recipes.
Commenters Push Back
“I work in produce at Publix and this is not true. It’s cut fresh and soaked in nothing,” a top comment read.
“The pre cut tastes so weird, acidic almost and a bit slimey,” a person noted.
“I’m not sure where you use to work as a produce manager but I have absolutely never heard of this and I have worked in grocery stores for 25 years!” another chimed in.
BroBible reached out to @darksidesmiley for comment via TikTok direct message and comment.