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Why are fruits in supermarkets often kept in mesh bags?

Why are fruits in supermarkets often kept in mesh bags?
When shopping for fruits at the supermarket, you will see that the fruits are placed on large shelves, allowing customers to freely choose. Everyone wants to pick the freshest, most delicious fruits. However, once you get home, the fruits often look less appetizing compared to how they appeared in the store, especially for fruits placed in mesh bags. This effect is called the “Confetti Illusion,” caused by the mesh wrapping. Scientific American magazine explains this phenomenon on TikTok.

According to the Journal of Illusion, the “Confetti Illusion” affects the human ability to perceive colors. The illusion is created by different colored stripes in the foreground, which display multiple distinct colors. This effect on the mesh wrapping around fruits was first discovered by German psychologist Karl Gegenfurtner.

A study by Gegenfurtner, published in Sage Journals earlier this year, indicated that their research revealed a new aspect when looking at oranges through the mesh wrapping. The study found that unripe oranges, which appear green, could be perceived as ripe and vibrant when viewed through the orange-colored mesh.

The research also showed that the color of the mesh plays an important role in influencing how we perceive the fruits inside. Gegenfurtner pointed out that the vibrant appearance of the fruits is the result of the Confetti effect combined with the colors reflected from the mesh onto the fruit. The mesh allows the fruit to “breathe,” preventing the buildup of moisture that can occur when wrapped in plastic.

Shoppers should carefully examine the fruit inside the mesh bags to assess its freshness rather than just relying on its color. If you find it difficult to choose, it’s best to pick fruits that are displayed individually outside, rather than those pre-wrapped in mesh bags. You should check the shape, texture, and aroma of the fruits. For fruits like oranges, tangerines, apples, and pomegranates, it’s better to choose the heavier ones, as this is a sign that they are ripe and contain more juice.