Does Bagged Lettuce Still Need to Be Rinsed?

Food safety can be a confusing issue—especially when you’re grabbing things out of the produce aisle. Even though lots of fruits and vegetables seem good enough to eat straight from the stand, they can often still be covered in bacteria like E. coli, chemicals, and other things you probably don’t want to think about.

To make things even more complicated, some veggies in particular—like lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens—might come labeled “pre-washed” or “triple-washed” in bags or salad mixes, suggesting they’ve been cleaned before being packaged. But what does that even mean, and more importantly, does that make it safe to eat these supposedly pre-washed veggies directly out of the bag?

If you find yourself unsure which guidelines to follow or what those guidelines really mean, you’re not alone. Below, we break down what you need to know, like what the triple-rinsing process does to bagged produce, plus how rinsing helps remove germs and more.

1. What does pre-washed even mean?
2. Is it OK to eat pre-washed produce without rinsing?

What does pre-washed even mean?

In the U.S., all food production is covered by GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and a Food Safety Plan, a set of guidelines falling under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bagged produce that has been labeled “pre-washed” or “triple-washed” typically undergoes a commercial rinsing process in facilities that follow certain standards. It can be a three-step approach: first, produce is rinsed with clean water to get rid of dirt, sediment, or other debris, then washed in water with small amounts of food-safe sanitizer, such as chlorine or fruit acids, before being rinsed again. According to Consumer Reports, this washing process is pretty extensive. In addition to removing soil and dirt, it can also help get rid of up to 99 percent of unwanted bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.

That being said, surface bacteria can still linger on produce that has undergone the process. It should also be noted that the term triple-washed does not necessarily mean that these goods are any safer than single-washed foods, too.

Is it OK to eat pre-washed produce without rinsing?

The short answer is yes. Firstly, your home kitchen, as lovely as it may be, likely doesn’t adhere to the same rigid safety standards that are outlined in the GMP. In fact, rinsing off bagged greens could create bigger opportunities for cross-contamination, meaning existing bacteria gets transferred to your food. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cleaning and sanitizing countertops, utensils, and around the sink area to minimize all potential cross-contamination risks.

If a bag is marked “pre-washed,” “triple-washed,” or “ready-to-eat,” then it’s safe to assume it’s been thoroughly cleaned (and with food-safe sanitizers). And in that instance, most experts maintain that rinsing again would probably do more harm than good.

However, if your bagged greens aren’t labeled in that way, then rinsing at home under the tap is definitely a wise idea. To do that, start by washing your hands first with soap and warm water for about 20 seconds, then rinse the leaves under cool water, paying special attention to folds and wrinkles. According to the USDA, you don’t need to use any soap or special cleaning solutions; produce may absorb residue from those substances, which could pose a potential health risk.

Overall, though, seeing that “ready-to-eat” or “triple-washed” label on a bag can be a good thing. And it’s one instance where you can actually have a little trust in what you read on the label of a package.

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