Moldovan food safety agency's inspectors to check water melons, melons directly at producers

Chisinau, 22 July /MOLDPRES/ - Inspectors of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA), in the full swing of the season of water melons and melons, will check these crops directly in fields, at farmers. The production exceeding the allowed norm of pesticides and nitrates will be liquidated, without imposing fines to economic agents, ANSA sources have reported.

The units of selling water melons and melons will be checked only if there are demands on behalf of consumers, who will have doubts about the quality of products.

At the same time, ANSA specialists recommend that consumers, before buying fruits or vegetables, ask traders for the documents on goods’ compliance.

More farmers dealing with the breeding of water melons and melons said that, when purchasing these products, it is important their shape should be verified. A uniform melon will be chosen, without hits, cuts or other spots. If the fruit has swellings or nodules, it means that the melon was affected by sun.  

No matter the size, a ripe melon should be pretty weighty for its dimension. This fact shows that it is full of water; hence, it is sweet and ripe. Also, the yellow spot of the melon, on the opposite side to the stalk, must necessarily be yellow. If it is green on white, this shows the fact that the melon was gathered too early and it is not ripe.  

A melon picked more days ago has a dry stalk; or, melons with still green stalks should be chosen, to have certainty that they are not ‘’faded.’’ A moderately ripe  melon should not have a soft peel or soft zones on its surface. This is a sign that the fruit is too ripe.  

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor A. Raileanu)