How Safe Is It to Eat
Bagged Salad Greens? It’s normal to assume that uncut greens are a
healthier options than the packed, pre-cut kind. Packaged greens can seem slimy or like they’ve
lost their nutrients, but they’re actually just as
good an option as uncut greens, if not better. In most cases, bagged salad is washed three
times before packaging, with one of the washes
involving sanitizing chemicals for an extra clean. The chemicals used, such as diluted chlorine,
are FDA-approved and the best proven defense
against pathogens such as E. Coli and salmonella. Because the greens are stored in an airtight bag,
they actually last longer than whole, uncut bunches. Contrary to popular belief, bagged
greens don’t lose their nutrition over
time, as long as they’re stored properly. The only downside to packaged greens is that
juice from cut or crushed leaves are more likely to
spur the growth of bacteria such as salmonella. According to nutrition and wellness
expert Frances Largeman-Roth, “the
benefits definitely outweigh the risk.” Frances Largeman-
Roth, via Livestrong