Mould, germs and toxins: bagged salad is particularly contaminated

Pre-cut salad mixes from the plastic bag are quick and easy to prepare. Often, however, the ready-made mixtures are contaminated with germs.

From the bag to the plate – Pre-cut leaf or fruit salads are practical because they are particularly quick to prepare. However, convenience comes at a price. Ready-made salad mixes are often contaminated with germs. In the warm and humid climate of plastic bags, bacteria and mold can spread easily. What consumers should pay attention to before consumption and how the health risk can be minimized.

Consumer advocates: Packaged salad can be harmful to health

In pre-cut salads from the bag, germs can spread easily.

© Juan Alberto Ruiz/Imago

According to the consumer advice centre, pre-cut salad mixes are among the perishable foods. Germs and molds can easily multiply in the ready-made salads. Even if they are kept refrigerated, there is a chance that they will spoil quickly. After all, although sliced and packaged lettuce is sold as "washed and ready to eat", it is advisable to rinse the leaves thoroughly before eating.

Does a digestive liquor help against bloating? Ten nutrition myths

Does a digestive liquor help against bloating? Ten nutrition myths

You can find even more exciting health topics in the free 24vita newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.

In the warm and humid climate of plastic bags, germs such as listeria, salmonella, E. coli bacteria and viruses such as noro or hepatitis A can easily multiply. The salads from the bag often exceed the health guidelines of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology and can thus become a risk of infection for humans. In a study by the consumer magazine Öko-Test, the experts also complained about countless pollutants such as pesticides and fungal toxins.

Be sure to wash salads before eating

While fresh salads offer some protection against germs, this is destroyed by cutting and storing. This is because the cell sap produced at the cut surface does not only attract bacteria. The high humidity in plastic packaging also supports the rapid growth of unhealthy microorganisms.

According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, deviations from the legally defined hygienic requirements could be detected in every fourth product inspection. If a salad has brown spots, you should therefore no longer eat it. Especially people with a sensitive immune system and pregnant women can react to an increased germ load in the salad with complaints.

Wash the bagged salad thoroughly and consume quickly

In order to keep the burden of germs and bacteria as low as possible, consumers should keep salads from the bag as cool as possible and wash them thoroughly before eating. If the use-by date has expired, the salad should also be thrown away. Curved packaging is also an indication of a lack of freshness. Thus, the gases formed are a sign of fermentation that is already beginning.

Consumers should also avoid packages in which brownish or mushy leaves can already be seen. If possible, opened salads should be eaten on the same day. Once the bag is opened, germs multiply even faster.

This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

Category list image: © Juan Alberto Ruiz/Imago