November 28, 2022 by Natalie Alibrandi
Why You Should Rewash that Pre-washed Bag of Lettuce
Nali Consulting were featured as food scientists on the website Well + Good.
Our food consultant Natalie Alibrandi explains food safety matters relating to pre-washed bags of salad. Be sure to check out our highlights and the full article below.
Publisher: Well + Good
Full Article: 3 Reasons Why You Should Rewash That Pre-Washed Bag of Lettuce, According to Food Scientists
Date first published: November 28, 2022
Food and Beverage Journalist: Maki Yazawa, Linkedin
Image credits: Well + Good, Stocksy/Cameron Whitman
Contributor at Nali Consulting: Natalie Alibrandi, Linkedin
Key contributions from Nali Consulting:
2. Produce is at high risk for contamination that can cause food-borne illnesses
Natalie Alibrandi, a London-based food scientist and CEO of Nali Consulting, also agrees that you should be rewashing pre-washed greens. Why? Because they’re extremely susceptible to contamination. “Pre-washed lettuce may seem like the pick of choice when you are rushed and need something convenient; however, I would think twice before grabbing that bag. Although pre-washed lettuce is pre-washed—and can be up to three times—there’s still a risk for microorganisms like salmonella, E.coli, and listeria to make their way through,” Alibrandi says.
The best way to wash lettuce or greens
Alibrandi suggests a five-part process (it’s easy, we promise) for cleaning lettuce that she swears by—and it involves skipping the pre-washed bagged lettuce altogether. “A better option that is fresher, safer, and more affordable is grabbing a head of lettuce whole and cleaning it in a salad spinner." To do so, she says to soak the lettuce for about 10 minutes first to naturally allow the dirt to settle to the bottom, then wash through in the sink and spin. "Pick through the lettuce to find any bad pieces, and dry thoroughly before eating,” Alibrandi says.
As Alibrandi mentions, using a whole head of lettuce versus a precut one might be the better choice. This, she says, is because it has less exposure to contamination as it’s being handled less at food processing facilities. When using a whole head of lettuce, however, the FDA recommends also removing the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage (that are most exposed to contaminants).
Also, keep in mind that it’s unnecessary to use soaps or sprays to wash produce—cool, clean running water will do the trick just fine. Need more produce-cleaning tips and tricks? You can also follow the FDA’s quick and easy seven-step guide to cleaning fruits and vegetables.