The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for fresh fruit processing that minimizes the exposure of the fruit to microbial contamination. The apparatus includes: a controlled environment chamber having an inlet portion configured to receive whole fruit and an outlet portion configured to deliver processed fresh fruit; a floor that is sloped downward from the inlet portion toward the outlet portion; an access portal on a lateral side of the controlled environment chamber, which is configured to provide access from the outside of the controlled environment chamber to the inside of the controlled environment chamber through a sealable barrier; an outlet portion having a container inlet that is configured to receive a container into the interior of the controlled environment chamber and a container outlet that is configured to deliver a container filled with processed fresh fruit out of the controlled environment chamber.
