Is cucumber mosaic virus harmful if consumed?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Identifying cucumber mosaic virus on your food products is understandably concerning, as I certainly remember harvesting cucumbers that were entirely covered in mosaic patterns last season. The virus itself doesn't directly affect people, but it does completely ruin your crops. Infected fruit will develop a foul taste and exhibit nasty deformities. Obviously, your health is important, so it's important to understand the risks involved.
The virus renders infected produce fully inedible. When fruits are infected, they develop a robust bitter taste and bumps that look somewhat like warts. Even partially infested food exhibits weird and undesirable chemical changes. One time, I cooked infested summer squash, or zucchini, and ruined the whole recipe. If any produce looks suspicious in any way, discard it. Your food deserves to be made with quality ingredients.
Visual Indicators
- Mosaic yellow-green patterns on fruit skin
- Wart-like bumps and severe deformities
- Uneven coloring with blotchy sections
Quality Changes
- Bitter or metallic taste in normally sweet fruits
- Rubbery texture instead of crisp freshness
- Premature softening and rapid decay
Safety Protocol
- Discard entire plant if fruits show symptoms
- Never attempt to cut away affected sections
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling infected produce
Your safety begins with proper handling techniques. Wash all your produce immediately before inspection. I wash my produce (which I purchase washed) with a vegetable brush for 30 seconds under running water. Immediately separate items that may be infected. The virus does not make humans sick, but it represents poor quality. Food safety in your kitchen starts in your garden.
Avoiding contamination is still the best defense you can have. Focusing on resistant varieties, such as Marketmore cucumbers, should help alleviate this issue. Lay down aphid barriers before flowering. I am now in my third season of virus-free gardens, and this is due to these factors. Your health deserves that effort to be proactive. Start today.
Read the full article: Cucumber Mosaic Virus: Complete Control Guide
