Some caution before eating

It is quite likely that the fruits you just bought (which most likely came from outside Kerala) could be injurious to your health.

In order to reduce the health risks, here are certain steps—as advised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India—that you can take before eating:

—Select fruits and vegetables without spots or necrosis (lesions) and any abnormality

—Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with water (preferable running potable water) before eating or cooking

—Buy fruits and vegetables from vendors you know

—Peel off fruits before consumption and vegetables before cooking—to reduce exposure to pesticides

—Do not buy and consume cut fruits from the streets

—Throw away fruits and vegetables infected by mould or fungus

—Discard the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage—to minimise risks from pesticide remnants