Are Packaged Salads a Health Risk?

Packaged salads are quick and convenient way to serve veggies without lots of preparation. They come already pre-packaged in bags or clamshell containers where you simply select a pack and then take it home and add your favorite dressing. Many of these salads have been pre-washed, and some even say theyre triple washed and ready to eat. Sounds good, doesnt it?

It may feel good to know your salad ingredients have been washed, but it may not be enough to keep you from becoming sick. According to new information published on the Food Production Daily website, packaged salads are consistently a source of bacteria " including fecal bacteria that can lead to illness and food poisoning.

The Consumers Union used an outside laboratory to test over two hundred different brands of pre-packaged salads for bacterial contamination. Using an acceptable level of 10,000 colony forming units or less per gram of salad, they found that thirty-nine percent of the salads tested exceeded this number of bacteria. Fortunately, the bacteria they found werent the types that cause severe illness, but it shows that packaged salads arent being cleaned thoroughly enough to reduce bacterial contamination.

Buying organic packaged salads sounds like a good idea, but it didnt seem to make a difference in this study. Organic packaged salad was just as likely to be contaminated with bacteria as conventionally grown. It also didnt matter whether it came in a plastic bag or a clamshell container. Pre-packaged salads containing spinach were more likely to have high levels of bacteria as were salads that were within five days of their use-by date.

How can you protect yourself if you buy packaged salad? Choose packages that are six or more days away from the use-by date stamped on the package rather than older salads. Even if the package says the salad has been pre-washed or triple washed, wash it again. Even washing may not remove bacteria, but you may reduce the quantity " along with your odds of becoming ill. Dont be fooled by the sterile looking packaging " there could be bacteria inside that packaged salad could make you sick. Keep this in mind and clean it again.

References:

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Quality-Safety/Bacteria-concerns-raised-in-leafy-green-packaged-salads