Regal Fruit co*cktail – Nutrition and Food Safety (2024)

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Regal Fruit co*cktail

Many of us have childhood memories of a dish of fruit co*cktail served as part of a meal or school lunch. Did you try to find a cherry and eat it first? As a kid, I loved fruit co*cktail.

Fruit co*cktail is made with various kinds of fruit served in a liquid of fruit juices or syrup. Canned fruit co*cktail contains diced fruit as opposed to canned fruit salad which has larger chunks. Presently, fruit co*cktail can be purchased in cans and individual plastic serving cups or glass jars. However, we shouldn’t forget that we can also make our own fresh fruit co*cktail with berries and other fruits. Be creative, and combine chopped pieces of your favorite fruits.

Nutritionally, fruits contain fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are important for a healthy diet. Fruit co*cktail can be packed in natural juices, light syrups, or heavy syrups. The liquid it is packed in makes a big difference in the nutritional content of fruit co*cktail. Of course, natural juices are always best and lowest in calories. Light syrup will have added sugars, and heavy syrup will contain corn syrup and sugar and have the most calories. Remember, sweeteners do not offer any nutritional benefits and can be harmful when consumed in excess.

When most people hear the word “co*cktail,” they think of a mixed drink containing alcohol. While that is one definition of the word, it can also be used to describe a food made with a combination of pieces of food such as fruit or seafood. Two different men are credited with the invention of fruit co*cktail; both Herbert Gray of the Barron-Gray Packing Company, and William Vere Cruess of the University of California, Berkeley.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates food to ensure it is safe to eat and properly labeled for consumers. For fruit co*cktail, the USDA stipulates that canned fruit co*cktail must contain specific percentages of fruit. It must include grapes, peaches, and pineapples; optional maraschino cherries and other fruits are permitted. The percentages are 30% to 50% diced peaches, any yellow variety; 25% to 45% diced pears, any variety; 6% to 16% diced pineapple, any variety; 6% to 20% whole grapes, any seedless variety; 2% to 6% cherry halves, any light sweet or artificial red variety (usually maraschino cherries).

While fresh fruits are always preferable, this pantry staple is great to keep on hand and has many practical uses besides just enjoying it as a stand-alone treat. Try draining the juices and adding the fruit to yogurt, or leaving the juices in and putting it in a smoothie. Fruit co*cktail can also be poured over ham and used as a sweet sauce while baking. Fruit co*cktail is also a delicious topping for ice cream or frozen yogurt. If you want to sweeten up a traditional salsa, try draining and chopping up fruit co*cktail and adding it to the salsa to transform it into a fruit salsa. A delicious and traditional way to use fruit co*cktail is, of course, to add it to jello before chilling.

A yummy combination of your favorite fruit and a splash of juice makes a perfect ending to a meal. It’s a great snack when everybody comes home from work or school and wants a healthy boost. It looks great at picnics and potlucks. It’s a favorite of kids and adults alike!

Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator

Sources:

  • thenibble.com; United States Department of Agriculture; www.tasteofhome.com

Regal Fruit co*cktail – Nutrition and Food Safety (1)

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Email: nfs@uwyo.edu

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Issued in furtherance of extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kelly Crane, Director, University of Wyoming Extension, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming Extension, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071.

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Regal Fruit co*cktail – Nutrition and Food Safety (2024)

FAQs

Is fruit co*cktail in a can healthy for you? ›

It has a great deal of sugar, corn starches and preservatives that change the dietary content. It's suggested to eat this brand in moderation or not at all. If you're on a diet plan and are counting fat calories, consider adding fruit cups with water or juice.

What are the rules for fruit co*cktail? ›

For fruit co*cktail, the USDA stipulates that canned fruit co*cktail must contain specific percentages of fruit. It must include grapes, peaches, and pineapples; optional maraschino cherries and other fruits are permitted.

Is it safe to drink the syrup from the fruit co*cktail? ›

Yes, it is generally safe to drink canned fruit liquid, often called "canned fruit syrup" or "canned fruit juice." However, there are a few things to consider: Sugar content: Many canned fruits are packed in syrup, which is usually a sugar-based solution.

What's the difference between a fruit salad and a fruit co*cktail? ›

Canned fruit co*cktails and canned fruit salad are similar, but fruit salad contains larger fruit while fruit co*cktail is diced. Commercially, the fruit used was healthy but cosmetically damaged, such as a peach or pear that was bruised on one side.

What is the healthiest canned fruit to eat? ›

But don't forget about canned peaches, pears, pineapples and more! You may not know that many canned fruits like peaches are picked at peak ripeness and go from field to can in a matter of hours. This means they ripen to their full nutrition and flavor on the plant before making it to your grocery store.

What are the 5 fruits in fruit co*cktail? ›

Fruit co*cktail in Heavy Syrup is packed with peaches, pears, grapes, pineapples and cherries in heavy syrup. This canned fruit is ideal for baking, as part of a lunch snack or for fruit salads!

How long is fruit co*cktail good for? ›

A sealed can or jar of fruit co*cktail can typically last anywhere from 1-2 years past the printed expiration date, thanks to the preservation process, as long as you store it in a cool, dry place. Once opened, however, the fruit co*cktail should be consumed within 7-10 days if stored properly in the fridge.

Should you eat fruits of co*cktail? ›

So, the sensible thing would be to avoid snacking on the garnishes placed in your bar area. This particularly goes out for all the fruits and the citrus wedges lying in the bar zone. In fact, all the co*cktail enthusiasts unanimously second to avoid consuming the garnishes available at the bar.

Is canned fruit syrup healthy? ›

Due to calorie count and overall nutrition value, water-packed canned fruit is the healthiest choice. The heavy and light syrups are of little nutritional value other than calories and are very high in sugar. The fruit packed in juice contains significantly less added sugar than syrup-packed canned fruit.

Should fruit syrup be refrigerated? ›

A traditional syrup has a 1-to-1 ratio and will last for about a month with basic refrigeration. However, if you make a rich syrup by increasing the sugar to water ratio to 2-to-1, you can increase this time frame significantly. It can be expected to last for about six months in the fridge.

What to do with leftover fruit co*cktail syrup? ›

5 Ways to Use Up Fruit Syrup
  1. Baking. This is probably one of the easiest ways to use up syrups quickly because you usually use them in larger quantities. ...
  2. Drinks. Syrups are easy to use to sweeten hot or cold beverages. ...
  3. Sauces and marinades. ...
  4. Dessert or breakfast toppings. ...
  5. Make your own granola.

Is fruit co*cktail healthy for you? ›

It's best to avoid canned fruits in heavy syrup or with added sugars. That being said, fruit is only beneficial to your health if it's actually eaten. So if a small amount of syrup is what makes the fruit enjoyable for you, then it's perfectly fine to choose that option on occasion.

Who invented the fruit co*cktail? ›

William Vere Cruess of the University of California, Berkeley, and also Herbert Gray of the Barron-Gray Packing Company, San Jose, California have both been credited with the invention of fruit co*cktail.

What is in the fruit co*cktail? ›

Fruit (Peaches, Pears, Grapes, Pineapple, Cherries [Cherries, Carmine]), Peach Juice, Pear Juice, Natural Flavor, Ascorbic Acid (To Preserve Color).

Is it healthy to eat fruit out of a can? ›

Nutritionally comparable with fresh

Canned fruit and vegetables contain good levels of these nutrients and make a valuable contribution to a balanced diet. However, small amounts of vitamins, especially the heat-sensitive ones like vitamin C, may be lost during the canning process.

What are the benefits of canned co*cktails? ›

Benefits of Beverage Cans
  • 100% recyclable. ...
  • Convenient and portable. ...
  • Range of sizes, shapes and decoration options. ...
  • Complete barrier against light and oxygen. ...
  • Recycling aluminum saves energy.

What should you avoid when buying canned fruits or vegetables? ›

Tips picking frozen and canned fruits and veggies:

Go for choices without added sauces, as they can add extra fat and salt. Look for low-sodium canned veggies, or drain and rinse the veggies before heating. Choose fruits canned in 100% juice or with no added sugar.

Are canned drinks healthy? ›

Your canned soft drinks contain high fructose corn syrup as their primary sugar ingredient, and only your liver can metabolise it. This is why overconsumption of soft drinks puts additional work and stress on your liver. Usually, digested sugars are shipped out as blood triglycerides (fats).

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