← Back
Nutrition and daily life

Melon — fruit card: fragrant, but the netted rind needs care

Azerbaijani melons are the fragrant fruit of late summer. But netted-rind melon (cantaloupe) is known for Listeria outbreaks. This card explains what to do to eat melon safely during treatment.

Last updated: ~2 min read
A netted melon and slices on a dark board.
Figure 1.Golden melon — Melon — fruit card: fragrant, but the netted rind needs care

01Short answer

Melon provides water, vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium. The rough netted rind holds germs and is hard to clean; there have been serious Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupe in the USA. Buy whole melons, scrub the rind with a brush under running water, dry it and cut with a clean knife. Put cut melon in the fridge straight away and eat it within 1–2 days. Some teams limit melon in severe neutropenia.

02Simple explanation

Melon is fragrant and juicy.

A netted rind holds germs.

Scrub the rind.

Cut melon straight into the fridge.

03Scientific explanation

CDC: a 2011 Listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe was one of the deadliest food outbreaks in the USA; people with weak immunity are at higher risk.

WHO: at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day is recommended; during treatment the amount may vary with appetite and your doctor’s advice.

FDA: wash produce under running water before cutting or peeling, because a knife can carry germs from the skin into the flesh.

04What happens in the body?

Choosing

A whole melon without dents, mould or soft spots.

A melon rind scrubbed under running water.
Figure 2.Scrub the netted rind.

Storing

Do not leave cut melon at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Fresh melon slices on a white plate.
Figure 3.Freshly cut melon — Melon — fruit card: fragrant, but the netted rind needs care

Washing and peeling

Wash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.

Cut fruit

Keep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

05Fruit: four steps

Whole fruit, swap bruised, wash and peel, eat cut fruit soon.

Whole fruit — No spots.1Whole fruitNo spots.
Not bruised — Fresh and whole.2Not bruisedFresh and whole.
Wash and peel — Running water.3Wash and peelRunning water.
Eat soon — Fridge, 1 day.4Eat soonFridge, 1 day.
VitaminsA natural source.
FibreFor the gut.
SafetyWashing.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
ChoosingA whole melon without dents, mould or soft spots.
StoringDo not leave cut melon at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Washing and peelingWash your hands, rub the fruit under running water, dry it with a clean towel, then peel or cut it. Soap or bleach solutions are not needed.
Cut fruitKeep cut fruit in the fridge and eat it within 1 day; do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

07Key terms

Cantaloupe
A melon with a netted rind.
Listeriosis
A serious infection caused by Listeria.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils, raising infection risk.
Potassium
A mineral for the heart and muscles.
Fibre
The part of plants that helps the gut work.

08Key points

  • Wash the rind before cutting.
  • Buy whole melons.
  • Keep cut melon cold.
  • Wash under running water.
  • Eat cut fruit soon.

09Frequently asked questions

Can I buy cut melon at the market?

Not during neutropenia.

Is smooth-skinned melon safer?

It is easier to wash, but the rules are the same.

Does this fruit treat leukemia?

No. It is a pleasant part of eating, not a treatment.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Can I buy cut melon at the market?

  2. Is smooth-skinned melon safer?

  3. Does this fruit treat leukemia?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): People at Risk
  2. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  3. U.S. FDA. Selecting and Serving Produce Safely
  4. NHS. 5 A Day: what counts?
  5. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  6. USDA. FoodData Central
  7. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2024. Management of Fatigue in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO–Society for Integrative Oncology Guideline Update
  8. Annals of Oncology, 2020. Cancer-related fatigue: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment
  9. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2016. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in cancer survivors
  10. CDC. Preventing Food Poisoning
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →