5 Types of Foods You Should Avoid Buying at the Supermarket

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables or pre-marinated meats may look appealing and convenient, but their quality is often uncertain — and the price is usually higher.

1. Pre-cut or peeled fruit

Pre-cut fruit sold in supermarkets may be made from bruised or overly ripe pieces. Jessica Gavin, a food science expert with a Master’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, warns that fruit stored for days after being cut can develop Salmonella, so it’s best to avoid buying it unless absolutely necessary. The better option is to buy whole, fresh fruit and prepare it at home.

Buying whole fruit is also more cost-effective. “Generally, from an economic standpoint, most people should buy whole fruit. It’s cheaper and tastes fresher,” science journalist Max Lugavere told HuffPost.

2. Pre-processed vegetables

Similar to fruit, some vegetables are sold pre-washed and pre-cut to look clean, fresh and convenient. However, they may no longer be at their best or may already be partially spoiled.
Chef Devan Cameron, founder of Braised and Deglazed, advises buying vegetables in their whole, original form. “I would never buy pre-cut vegetables or anything pre-prepared. Once cut, vegetables quickly lose flavor and nutrients.”

3. Pre-marinated meat

This type of meat is popular because it saves preparation time, but even supermarket staff tend to avoid it. Marinades and sauces are often used to mask poor-quality meat. Some pieces may be close to expiring, discolored, or slightly smelly — things you won’t easily notice once they’re heavily seasoned.

Even when the meat itself is fine, it’s hard to control what goes into the marinade. It’s better to buy fresh meat and season it yourself with natural ingredients.

Nutrition expert Lauren Twigge told Real Simple that you should only choose meat with a bright, fresh color and avoid anything dull, dark, or with an unusual smell. “Make sure the packaging is intact, without any tears or dents,” she adds.

4. Ground meat

Pre-ground meat is convenient but may contain scraps, excess fat, or older cuts. According to Aboluowang, it’s hard to know what parts were used; it may include fatty tissue, lymph nodes, or unattractive meat pieces. The source and quality are difficult to verify.
Another issue is the grinder: if not cleaned properly, leftover meat can harbor bacteria and lead to cross-contamination.

Whenever possible, buy meat from reputable, hygienic suppliers. If you have time, purchasing fresh whole cuts and grinding or chopping them yourself at home is the safest option.

5. Discounted dairy products

Supermarkets often offer discounts on milk, yogurt, cheese, and similar products — buy-one-get-one deals or promotions with cute toys that attract children. However, always check the expiration date first. These items are usually discounted because they’re close to expiring.

You can buy them if you’re sure you’ll consume them before the expiration date, but avoid stocking up. If you don’t use them in time, they end up being wasted.