frozen fruit products

frozen fruit products

Frozen fruit products, preserved at the peak of goodness, are ready to serve straight from the container and are delicious ingredients in salads, sauces, desserts, and other dishes. Frozen fruit products are convenient to use and are always available.

Frozen fruit products and fruit juices contain many vitamins and minerals; they are low in fat and sodium. Frozen fruit products provide dietary fiber. USDA nutritionists recommend 2 to 4 servings from the fruit group each day. Count as a serving 1/2 cup canned or frozen fruit or 3/4 cup fruit juice. Canned and frozen fruits processed in juice have fewer calories than products in heavy syrups or with added sweeteners. Count only 100 percent fruit juice as fruit.

Frozen fruit products are most often packed with dry sugar or syrup. After the initial preparation, packages are filled with fruit by semi-automatic equipment, sugar or syrup is added, and the containers are automatically sealed. The packaged fruit is then quickly frozen in special low-temperature chambers and stored at temperatures of 0 °F. or lower.

Frozen fruit should be frozen solid. If fruits in a package are not firm, they may have lost quality. Avoid buying frozen fruit with stains on the package since this may indicate that the fruit was defrosted at some time during marketing. To ensure the quality of frozen fruits, pick them up as the last item while shopping, take them home in an insulated bag and store in a freezing compartment immediately.