The Bagged Convenience You Should Think Twice About Buying At The Grocery Store - Tasting Table

"One of the biggest reasons to steer clear of bagged salad kits is the increased risk of getting sick from contamination. Salad kits are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Despite claims of being triple-washed, these bagged kits can be contaminated throughout the processing phase. The moist environment that develops inside isn't helping. The higher-than-average rate of recalls for these salads should be enough to scare you straight."

"On top of that, the quality of these prepared meals is subpar compared to the same salad made with fresh ingredients. The moment the leafy greens are washed and chopped, they start to spoil. Whether it's due to temperature fluctuations or moisture trapped in the packaging, the greens lose their crispness and color fast. It's a race against the clock to eat them before they turn slimy and unappetizing."

"If contamination and quality concerns aren't enough to keep you away from this bagged convenience, the amount you overspend on them should make you think twice. The $3 to $4 price tag for these kits can seem cheap enough for a single meal, but the convenience markup is crazy high compared to buying the individual ingredients and preparing them yourself. It makes more sense to make your own salads if you're prepping meals for the whole week or feeding a lot of people."

Bagged salad kits carry an increased risk of foodborne illness from bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli despite claims of being triple-washed. Moist, refrigerated packaging and contamination during processing raise recall rates. Washed and chopped greens spoil quickly, losing crispness and color due to temperature fluctuations and trapped moisture, and can become slimy if not eaten rapidly. The convenience markup on kits (typically $3 to $4) is high compared with buying and preparing individual ingredients, making homemade salads more economical for meal prep or feeding multiple people. There is also an associated environmental cost to consider from these kits.

Read at Tasting Table