'Yellow durian' imposes health risk

A photo showing an unidentified man soaking durian fruits in a tub of yellowish liquid has went viral in social media and the photo is believed to have been taken in Thailand. A horticulture lecturer from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr Phoebe Ding, said the fruit could be soaked in chemical-laced water to artificially preserve its freshness. She said the use of sulphur can prevent the fruit flesh from turning brown but long term consumption of the chemical-laced fruit could bring health effects, especially for those with asthma. It only takes two-three hours for the durian fruit to marinate in the yellow liquid before the fruit stem absorbs the artificial colour to turn its flesh yellow.