Do You Have to Wash Bagged Salad That's Been Prewashed?
Question: I always buy “prewashed” bagged salad because it’s so convenient. But do I still have to wash it to be on the safe side?
Answer: No — as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration points out, you do not have to re-wash salads that are labeled as prewashed and ready-to-eat.
In fact, by re-washing a prewashed bagged salad, you might actually be doing more harm than good, says the FDA. That’s because you could contaminate the already-clean salad by further handling it — for instance, by forgetting to wash your hands before rinsing the salad or letting the salad come into contact with an unclean sink.
If you still feel the need to wash a prewashed salad, you should take care to avoid any cross contamination. That includes thoroughly washing your hands before rinsing the salad and cleaning any sinks, countertop and utensils that will come into contact with the salad before you wash it.
See Also:
How Long Can Salad Sit Out Before It Becomes Unsafe To Eat?
