If you’ve ever walked through a fruit market in Southeast Asia, you might have noticed something strange: many jackfruits have their tops cut off and painted white. To most shoppers, it may seem like a harmless or even decorative practice. But according to vendors and agricultural experts, this common sight hides a shocking truth about how fruits are prepared and sold.

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What’s Really Behind the White Paint?

At first glance, the white paint might look like chalk or lime. Some might assume it’s used to prevent rot, pests, or to indicate ripeness. But in reality, the practice often involves coating the exposed fruit stem with a chemical substance to preserve appearance—and sometimes to disguise age or quality.

"It’s mainly to make the fruit look fresher and cleaner," admits one market vendor.
"Buyers don’t like to see dark or dried stems. So we cut the top and apply a white substance to make it look freshly harvested."

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What Is the White Substance?

In many cases, the white coating is hydrated lime or a similar chemical compound that dries quickly and gives a clean, polished look. However, in some markets, vendors may use non-food-grade paint or unidentified chemicals to achieve the same effect.

These substances are not intended for consumption and may pose health risks if they seep into the fruit or come into contact with your hands and utensils during handling.

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Why Do They Cut the Tops?

Cutting the top of the jackfruit serves several purposes:

• It makes the fruit appear recently harvested, as the stem would still look moist and fresh underneath.

• It allows vendors to hide signs of aging, like dried sap or browning.

• Combined with the white coating, it creates an illusion of better quality and freshness, even if the jackfruit has been sitting for days.