All the waste from bagged salad

The cost of the plastic packaging is ultimately paid by the consumer. The flavor can be altered. And water consumption skyrockets due to the double washing.

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risks of bagged salads

WASTE OF BAGGED SALAD

Bagged salad: it's almost the norm in supermarkets. But it must be said that salads, vegetables and also fruit, in plastic packaging, the classic envelopes, they are to be avoidedFor reasons including hygiene precautions, product flavor, and the waste inherent in this plastic-dominated solution. Accompanied by the false magic flute that would have us believe that pouched packaging is more practical, convenient, and easier to prepare before serving.

ALSO READ: How to wash and sanitize fruit and vegetables naturally

RISKS OF BAGGED SALADS

Dietitian Giorgio Calabrese, a staunch supporter of bagged salads, is (partially) right: they are both safe and affordable. But they are a source of enormous waste, starting with water (for the multiple washes, including the final one after opening the bag, which Dr. Calabrese also recommends). And there are also some health concerns to be reckoned with.

According to a study published in the journal Applied and Environmental, bagged salads require very cautious use and consumption as the cutting the leaves favors the salmonellaHence the need, once the package is opened, to eat the salad immediately and therefore the risk of wasting a good portion of it.

ARE BAGGED SALADS SAFE?

Bagged salad is considered safe, also because the product's industrial process is meticulously managed: before being bagged, it is spun twice in special tanks, where the water is constantly changed. Then it is cut and bagged. Chlorine residues are generally minimal. However, bagged salad is not recommended for other, specific reasons.

TO KNOW MORE: How to wash lettuce (video): warm water with baking soda

WHY AVOID BAGGED SALADS

If you really can't buy it fresh, you should at least worry about washing it before seasoning it. Bagged salad, even if free of waste and provided with a reassuring label, which states "cut, washed, dried and ready to dress", she is not sterilizedThis exposes it to contamination and the multiplication of bacteria over time (there's a very in-depth study on this subject by the University of Turin). Besides hygiene, there are five other reasons to choose fresh salad over packaged produce.

  • Too much plastic. The consumer pays the bill for the packaging since the costs of packaging impact the final price. Each package requires a plastic bag and, in some cases, even a tray. This entails significant industrial and environmental costs.
  • It wastes water. By buying fresh salad, we not only avoid packaging but also consume less water. The cleaning process during industrial packaging isn't enough to remove impurities, forcing us to consume more. waterIn practice, bagged salad is washed at least twice. The first time, sometimes, is even washed with chlorine, which alters the flavor.
  • Cost-quality ratio. Bagged salad is convenient if you have little time to dedicate to groceryHowever, the cost is significantly higher than that of fresh salad. Ready-made salads are three times more expensive than fresh salad, so with the money we spend on a 250-gram bag, we could buy a nice 1-kilo head of lettuce.
  • It doesn't help the environment. Before arriving on our table, fruit and vegetables They go through numerous stages, which result in significant CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the industrial production of bagged salad requires significant energy consumption. All of this affects the final price and offers no quality benefit to the consumer.
  • It changes more easily. Like most refrigerated products, packaged salad is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Therefore, unlike fresh salad, it is essential to maintain the cold chain after purchase. Otherwise, we run the risk of bacteria on the leaves proliferating, endangering our health.

What to know about bagged salads: risks (1)

WILL BAG SALAD BE BANNED?

A European regulation proposal, currently approved at Commission level in spring 2023, risks imposing the elimination of plastic bags for containing salad, and in general the fruit and vegetables. The proposal includes a ban on single-use salad packaging on supermarket shelves.

SALADS: OUR RECIPES

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