Is it OK to eat fresh fruits and veggies from Mega?

[tal1412]

My wife and I are headed back to Playa in early Feb for our 3rd trip. We like eating at the local places (El Fogon, HC Monterrey, LePesca, etc). This time we will be staying in a condo, so we’ll be able to bring leftovers home! We would also like to up on some other foods. We like hitting the Mega for things and we noticed that they have a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Is it OK to eat fresh fruits and veggies from Mega? I heard some people mention some kind of wash (microdyne?) to give them before you eat them. What's the story? Thanks!

[Susie Q Roo]

Boy, I hope so! Seeing as how I've been eating fruits and veggies from there for going on a couple years now...

Seriously, lots of people who are not used to the area wash their fruits and veggies in microdyne. I just wash with the (probably cenote) water that comes out of our taps in Paamul. And I'm neither dead nor in the bathroom.

[MM]

Better safe then sorry, I feel. I live here and I soak ALL fresh fruits and veggies in the microdyn. You can find this product right in the fresh fruit/vegie aisles. I didn't know about it when I first moved here, and I was SICK SICK. Now, I soak all my produce. But, I do know of some people who do not soak their produce and they don't get sick. Also, there are the parasites you can get that don't always make you feel sick, but you will need to deal with them eventually.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by MM

Better safe then sorry, I feel. I live here and I soak ALL fresh fruits and veggies in the microdyn. You can find this product right in the fresh fruit/vegie aisles. I didn't know about it when I first moved here, and I was SICK SICK. Now, I soak all my produce. But, I do know of some people who do not soak their produce and they don't get sick. Also, there are the parasites you can get that don't always make you feel sick, but you will need to deal with them eventually.

Yes, the parasites, amoebas we call them. Fabulous diet plan. Shed pounds and inches in a few short weeks.
We soaked our veggies and fruit for the first year here then slowly backed off of it. Now, I only soak the veggies that need a bath anyway: all fresh herbs, lettuce, celery, leeks....anything with nooks and crannies that than trap dirt etc....So far so good, three years later.

[LaRosaBlanca]

Originally Posted by Michele

Yes, the parasites, amoebas we call them. Fabulous diet plan. Shed pounds and inches in a few short weeks.
We soaked our veggies and fruit for the first year here then slowly backed off of it. Now, I only soak the veggies that need a bath anyway: all fresh herbs, lettuce, celery, leeks....anything with nooks and crannies that than trap dirt etc....So far so good, three years later.

LOL that reminds me of that like 6 ft long tape worm I saw on oprah Ugh Yuck. We are planning on trying to have kids later this year so now I'm all paranoid about eating when I go on vacay and swimming in the cenote but everyone has assured me I should be okay so I'm going for it but I'd probably wash my fruits and veggies just incase

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by tal1412

My wife and I are headed back to Playa in early Feb for our 3rd trip. We like eating at the local places (El Fogon, HC Monterrey, LePesca, etc). This time we will be staying in a condo, so we’ll be able to bring leftovers home! We would also like to up on some other foods. We like hitting the Mega for things and we noticed that they have a large selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Is it OK to eat fresh fruits and veggies from Mega? I heard some people mention some kind of wash (microdyne?) to give them before you eat them. What's the story? Thanks!

Some long-term residents swear by desinfecting vegetables, others ignore the practice.
I've shopped for veggies and fruit at Mega ever since I arrived and never had any trouble. My British wife is a lot more susceptible to stomach bugs and such - or at least she used to be when on account of the many times she used the "sickness and diarrhoea" excuse to throw a sickie... - but she hasn't had any problems, either.

[Orcagirl]

i've cut a lot of corners in playa as far as eat food is concerned and been pretty lucky :S i've been sick only a few times but recently got nailed with something, will never know what but i got it while eating out. but i think i will start using this solution for fruits and veggies. makes sense and well i've had enough of the bano for one week.

[Bluespicker]

We wash our fruit and veggies with our unpurified well water so we've never been too concerned about it.

[Joana]

I purchased at Mega on my last stay and used only normal water from the tab to wash the veggies. I am usually very susceptible to bugs......but didn't get sick once.
However- if you are worried, why not use the stuff? Just go by what you feel is right.

[Susie Q Roo]

Originally Posted by Michele

Yes, the parasites, amoebas we call them. Fabulous diet plan. Shed pounds and inches in a few short weeks.
We soaked our veggies and fruit for the first year here then slowly backed off of it. Now, I only soak the veggies that need a bath anyway: all fresh herbs, lettuce, celery, leeks....anything with nooks and crannies that than trap dirt etc....So far so good, three years later.

Obviously, it hasn't worked for me.

[rob mackay]

Originally Posted by MM

Better safe then sorry, I feel. I live here and I soak ALL fresh fruits and veggies in the microdyn. You can find this product right in the fresh fruit/vegie aisles. I didn't know about it when I first moved here, and I was SICK SICK. Now, I soak all my produce. But, I do know of some people who do not soak their produce and they don't get sick. Also, there are the parasites you can get that don't always make you feel sick, but you will need to deal with them eventually.

I eat them from there and alot of the time, sometimes i was them some times i dont bother, if they rolled around on the street from a loose bag i would probably make a point of washing them,,,,,,,dont worry, youll be ok unless your really young, i am 43 and when we were kids we drank out of the garden hose and ate the apples off the ground, this helped build our immune system, in my opinion. I think alot of people who have problems here are the ones that are younger who never lived the way we did. Alot the kids nowadays are so protected by bottled water and plastic wrapped food that their system wouldnt know what to do in a country such as this, ,,,,,,thats just my 2 cents worth

[Rissask]

Just stay away from drinking coconut juice out of an overly green (unripe) coconut and you'll be fine.

[LOLOSKY]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Just stay away from drinking coconut juice out of an overly green (unripe) coconut and you'll be fine.

Rissak, I absolutley love your avatar

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by LOLOSKY

Rissak, I absolutley love your avatar

why thank you
it's isn't mine
but it's fitting for this thread at least! speaking of not drinking the green coconuts.

[jonesy girl]

Originally Posted by MM

Better safe then sorry, I feel. I live here and I soak ALL fresh fruits and veggies in the microdyn. You can find this product right in the fresh fruit/vegie aisles. I didn't know about it when I first moved here, and I was SICK SICK. Now, I soak all my produce. But, I do know of some people who do not soak their produce and they don't get sick. Also, there are the parasites you can get that don't always make you feel sick, but you will need to deal with them eventually.

Thanks MM for the great info!
Last time in the area I stayed at an AI and got really sick for three days. This time around we've opted for a condo. Really looking forward to buying/prepping some of our own food. Any suggestions about where to buy fresh seafood - shellfish and fish. Thanks alot.
"15" sleeps until Playa...