Plum Safety Inspection

Plums are often treated with artificial purple/red dyes and wax to improve their appearance and shelf life. 1. The Scrape Test (Wax Detection): Gently scrape the plum surface with a knife. Natural plums have a thin natural bloom (waxy coating), but if a thick layer of white flaky residue comes off, it indicates artificial wax coating used to prevent moisture loss. 2. The Water Soak Test (Dye Detection): Soak plums in a glass of water for 20 minutes. If the water develops a purple or red tint, the plums have been artificially colored. Natural plum color stays inside the skin and won't leach significantly. 3. The Texture and Firmness: Feel the plum. Naturally ripe plums are soft yet firm with a characteristic yielding texture. Artificially ripened plums may be soft on the outside (from ethylene) but have hard, sour flesh near the stone. 4. Visual Uniformity: Natural plums have color variations - some areas darker purple, some lighter or with reddish tints. If the whole batch is 100% uniform in a very deep, bright purple, be suspicious of dye treatment.