Morina Gael Bagged lettuce seems one of the simplest shortcuts in modern life. It is fast, clean, and makes it easy for busy children to have lunch after long days at work. But recent food safety recalls and work by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have led to a second look in grocery coolers at those plastic containers. While not everyone should steer clear of packaged greens, it may be time to pay more attention to handling, freshness, and storing greens.
Recalls Keep Making Headlines
Occasionally, bagged salads are included in a nationwide recall due to possible contamination. The Food and Drug Administration provides lettuce product updates routinely for the various grocery store chains.
“Triple Washed” Is Not Perfect
A lot of packages state that the greens are washed multiple times prior to sealing. Some experts in food safety continue to recommend using refrigeration and handling with care due to the fact that washing is insufficient to remove all possible food safety contaminants.
Plastic Packaging Traps Moisture
Excess moisture accumulation can indicate that the salad bag is foggy. When lettuce is left unopened for a few days in refrigerated units, dampness may promote a rapid rate of spoilage.
Nutrients May Decline Faster
Some studies indicate that nutrients may leach out of the cutting of leafy vegetables during storage faster than from the whole plant. Freshness and vitamin content may be influenced over time by exposure to air and light.
Slimy Leaves Are a Warning
Lettuce that is slippery has a tendency to decompose. For instance, if only a portion of the bag seems suspicious, many food safety experts suggest that you don’t buy the entire bag.
Cold Storage Really Matters
Bunching lettuce in bags when shopping can cause it to go bad early if the bags are warm. Leafy greens are advised to be refrigerated to slow bacterial growth according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Expiration Dates Are Not Guarantees
Salad bags may not have an accurate match for freshness with the printed date. The quality may be impacted earlier than expected due to storage temperature, transportation, and the several times the refrigerator may be opened.
Organic Labels Do Not Remove Risk
Even organic bagged lettuce needs proper storing and handling. Both conventional and organic produce are at risk of foodborne bacterial contamination due to harvesting or processing activities.
Store Lighting May Affect Freshness
Overall, over time, light in grocery display lighting may slightly accelerate the quality decline of leafy greens. New studies are underway on the effect of light on packaged produce in retail storage.
Home Washing Is Still Common
Although many Americans wash bagged lettuce at home, a large number still do it after the labels are washed prior to sale. There is some ambiguity about the effect of additional washings on contamination risks.
Freshness Checks Take Seconds
You can see a lot in a quick glance at the bag. If the spots are dark, the liquid is more than the lettuce can handle, or there are strong odors, it’s the lettuce’s time to get into trouble before the meal begins.
