Recently, it has been rumored that people that have eaten mangoes with long black spots on the skin, after tasting a disgusting flavor, have felt unwell, and they have been sent hospital for urgent treatment. In the 14th July, the Agriculture Committee explained that, relate to the diseases caused by the black spots of mango fruit, we need to pay attention to anthrax and black spot fungi. If it is slightly damaged, the not damaged part can still be eaten, but if the mango is obviously stinky, we must not continue eating it.
Summer is the season of mango production, and southern Taiwan is a main producing area. In recent years, it has been developing new varieties. The mangoes there are not only loved by the people of the country, but also the exportation volume increases year by year. Every season, people can’t help buying it and eating immense amounts of it. However, recently some doctors shared a case of intoxication on a talk show, saying that they had encountered a man who had eaten a mango already black and sour, happening to suffer symptoms of nausea and vomiting, finally being rushed to hospital for treatment.
The mango experts in the agricultural improvement field of Kaohsiung District indicated that the diseases causing the black spots of mango fruit are mainly anthrax and black spot fungi, which are harmed by specific pathogenic fungi and bacteria, respectively. This type of pathogen does not infect the human body. If the surface of the mango is slightly damaged, the damaged part can still be eaten without safety concerns. However, if the mango is obviously rotten or if there are symptoms such as coloration and odor, it should be discarded and should not be eaten.
There are many varieties of mangoes in Taiwan, and the cultivation techniques of farmers are excellent. However, we must to preserve mangoes after buying them. Professor Wu Junda, an expert in post-harvest processing at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Studies of the National Taiwan University, says that the mangoes of the Irwin variety are ripe when they are bought and must be eaten immediately. Jade mangoes and Golden mangoes, can be eaten as soon as they look soft and ripen. If they are not ready, they must be stored in the refrigerator to maintain the best preservation. Mangoes must be eaten as soon as possible to taste their freshness.
