Just a quick question about bagged lettuce and other salad mixes. When it says on the package that it's been thoroughly pre-washed, is it ok to eat it as is, or should I wash it again? I know of the recent E. coli outbreak resulting from consumption of bagged raw spinach, but did that have anything to do with washing before eating, or not? Thx for your input--just trying to keep my family and myself safe! :-)
2006-11-05 11:18:56 · 19 answers · asked by peachy78 5 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
The spinach insident wasn't to do with washing, it was just a bad batch of shipment. However, I believe that washing every vegetable before you eat it is always the best way to go. The only problem I have is the pre-mixed salads. I normally don't wash those.. but the individual, pre-bagged lettuce i definately would. They tend to have pesticides (although these are suppose to be bio-friendly) because when they are shipped somtimes bugs get in to the crates,so they spray them.. I say wash it again.
2006-11-05 11:23:10 · answer #1 · answered by Hailee D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They explicitly said that washing would not have prevented the E. Coli outbreak, as the bacteria were incorporated into the spinach leaves. I don't wash it, but would not fault you if you elected to do so. Never can be too safe when it comes to feeding the family.
2006-11-05 11:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by finaldx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always wash. They may have washed it thoroughly, but what about the person who put it in the bag. Did they wash thoroughly after visiting the bathroom? You don't know. Bagged salads carry high levels of bacteria, and pre-washed salad is worse than unwashed because it has been handled more.
2006-11-05 11:21:07 · answer #3 · answered by stienbabe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should wash it again. E coli, is especially bad for children and the elderly. It can cause a bad belly ache, or much worse, So why take the chance? When it is good and rinsed, then use a salad spinner to get all the water off it. Thank you very much, from,
Popeye..".I love my spinach"
2006-11-05 11:32:42 · answer #4 · answered by yikes! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wash the salad mix or lettuce just to be on the safe side. I would trust myself to wash throughly more than a label. It only takes a few minutes, and I think running cold water over lettuce actually makes it seem fresher.
2006-11-05 11:22:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wash everything. I have a salad spinner to do my lettuce and anything leafy, gets the excess water out. I put my veggies in a strainer and run them under water. I try and be very careful, even cans, i wipe off the lids before opening. Ive even started buying organic apples because i dont like biting into all that waxy stuff they put on them.
2006-11-05 12:21:04 · answer #6 · answered by *COCO* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if it is bagged and sealed then I don't bother but if it is a head of lettuce that is loosely covered in plastic then I always wash it. Either way, it can't hurt.
2006-11-05 11:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by goldengirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just remember, "thoroughly washed" to you maybe different than someone else's "thoroughly washed". Remember, safe not sorry!
2006-11-05 11:23:16 · answer #8 · answered by tigertate2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We wash it for just in case of extra dirt
2006-11-05 11:21:06 · answer #9 · answered by Miss Understood 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i make it a habit to wash everything before i eat it!
you never know who or what has come in contact with it before you got it!
2006-11-05 11:28:14 · answer #10 · answered by Gingersnap 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋