Pre-washed Produce
Ask Phil
from our newsletter, broadcast on
Monday June 30, 2008
Monday June 30, 2008
Dear Phil,
Some our customers ask if they should wash things like lettuce and bagged spinach that wear the label “pre-washed,” as many of them still remember the spinach recall in 2006 due to E.Coli contamination. If our customers want their produce to remain as fresh – and safe – as possible, what should I tell them about the additional washing of pre-washed items?
Lucy
Lucy,
The process of washing lettuce and bagged spinach is thorough and extensive. Produce that is pre-washed is carefully prepared and ready to use when you buy it. Re-washing won’t hurt product quality, however, if consumers do choose to re-wash their pre-washed produce, they run the risk of cross contaminating the produce with other items from their kitchen, like raw meats.
Additionally, residue in the pipes that lead to a kitchen sink will add more bacteria to a product when it is re-washed than simply using it as it. That’s why I think it is best to use the product in the way that was intended. Pre-washing is for convenience, so let your customers know that it is perfectly safe to open and use the bagged products immediately. No re-washing required.
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