RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) advised washing dates thoroughly with running water before eating them to remove any pesticide and chemical residues. Additionally, it warned against washing multiple times with wastewater.

The SFDA indicated that the best way to preserve dates is by freezing due to the effectiveness of this method in containing microorganisms and reducing the vital and oxidative processes of dates. It is preferable to freeze dates at the lowest possible temperature, bearing in mind that the enzymatic activity does not stop during freezing as it causes ripening to continue.

Dates can be preserved for up to three months using refrigeration as one of the methods. This method uses containers that minimize exposure to moisture. Drying is another method used to preserve dates; the preservation period can last up to a year. Drying reduces humidity, which prevents the growth of bacteria.

Dates contain sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, starch, protein, fiber, and nutritious minerals such as potassium, sulfur, phosphorous, iron, sodium, zinc and magnesium, in addition to vitamins. As for date peels, they contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. — SPA