Should bagged salad not be washed? Here's what to watch out for
The National Medical Association's team of doctors and anti-fraud experts answers the most important health questions
Key points
- Is it true that bagged salad should not be washed at home?
- What are the characteristics of the IV range?
- Are IV gamma salads safer and healthier than unwashed ones?
- What is the best method for disinfecting fruit and vegetables at home?
- What are the risks if you do not disinfect fresh vegetables?
- Is it true that children or pregnant women need special care?
- How do you choose and keep your salad fresh and safe? [Insert keyword]
With the arrival of summer, the consumption of cold dishes increases and, among the most purchased products, there are the salads of the IV gamma, vegetables that are already washed, cut and packaged ready to be poured onto the plate. Their success depends above all on practicality: no waste to eliminate, speed in preparation and the possibility of eating them outdoors or at work. But do they really not need to be re-washed? Doubts about safety, nutritional quality and possible contamination are widespread among consumers, but protecting health is possible by following simple hygiene rules and learning to read labels.
Is it true that bagged salad should not be washed at home?
It depends. Not all packaged salads are the same. To be sure that you are acting in the healthiest way possible, you should read the product label. If the package says 'washed and ready to eat' or 'ready to eat', the product does not need to be washed again. In other cases, the label may recommend washing or give no indication. Many consumers are also accustomed to re-washing ready-to-eat salads, but it is not necessary: these are freshly prepared products, industrially washed and stored at a controlled temperature before sale.
What are the characteristics of the IV range?
Fruit and vegetables are divided into five types, or ranges, according to the production process and the way in which they are sold: I range: fresh fruit, vegetables and greens, perishable because they have not undergone any preservative treatment; for example: what you buy at the neighbourhood market or on the farm; II range: processed and preserved vegetables in jars, from pickles and pickles to fruit in syrup and freeze-dried vegetables; III range: frozen products; IV range: washed and packaged salad and vegetables, ready to eat; V range: pre-cooked or cooked products (such as grilled or boiled vegetables, soups) and packaged using specific techniques.
After harvest, the IV gamma products are washed several times with drinking water and disinfectants. The cold chain is then maintained, the salads are dried and packed in bags or trays, without adding preservatives.
Are IV gamma salads safer and healthier than unwashed ones?
These are two different sales methods, but from a nutritional point of view the differences are minimal. The IV gamma is appreciated for its convenience and absence of additives: it is the choice of those who have little time or lunch away from home. Fresh, non-packaged products generally cost less and are perceived as more 'genuine'. They do, however, require thorough washing to remove any germs and traces of chemicals used in agriculture.
