Just like these common cooking myths, the idea of “pre-washed” lettuce isn’t as flawless as it seems. Recent research reveals that companies aren’t just rinsing the leaves in water—they’re using chemicals like bleach, which contains chlorine.
How do restaurants clean lettuce?
The easiest way to clean your greens is to agitate and soak them in a large quantity of water. At the restaurant, that meant filling 10-gallon sinks with cold water to soak 20 heads of lettuce at a time. At home, just fill a large bowl or your kitchen sink.
Is lettuce washed in bleach?
“Yes, the bagged salad leaves are washed in a chlorine rinse, which some industry sources confirm can reduce nutrient levels. But washing any salad vegetable leaves, even in water at home, will tend to rinse out some water-soluble nutrients.
How do restaurants keep lettuce fresh?
Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture, in order to stay crisp. That’s why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it’s held in the fridge.
What keeps lettuce from turning brown on a restaurant?
Many people are sensitive to sulfites, preservatives with antioxidant and antibacterial properties, the doctor told us. They’re commonly found in beer and wine, medications, packaged dried fruit, and nuts. And, because sulfites keep veggies from turning brown, they’re sometimes found in salad bars.
How do you disinfect lettuce with Clorox?
If you elect to clean your fruits and vegetables with chlorine bleach, do not use scented chlorine or color-safe bleaches. The University of Nebraska, USA, suggests using 1 1/2 teaspoons bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) in one gallon of water. Do not wash before storing. Rinse just before using.
How do you disinfect lettuce?
Wash the produce under a stream of cool water or using the spray nozzle of your faucet. Rub the produce with your hands, or scrub with a vegetable brush, to remove potential bacteria in all the grooves and crevices. No soap or special solutions are necessary; plain, cool water is the best agent.
What do they wash bagged lettuce in?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages lettuce to be washed with a bleach solution to kill harmful bacteria.
Is organic lettuce washed in chlorine?
Just about all pre-washed veggies, including organic greens, are washed in a water rinse containing chlorine to eliminate harmful bacteria and contamination.
Can you put Clorox on lettuce?
Diluted bleach can be used to disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot but should never be used to clean fruits and veggies. Ingesting bleach can be fatal. Bleach is effective in killing some types of viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew and algae but it also can kill you if you drink it or ingest it.
Do restaurants use preservatives on lettuce?
Some restaurants will use a sulfite spray over the salad bars and in the prep kitchen to keep that shiny new sheen on their food so that it appears fresh and appetizing.
How do restaurants keep iceberg lettuce crisp?
They Soak Lettuce in Cold Water
One simple way restaurants keep lettuce crispy is by soaking it in cold water or ice water. This technique also applies to wilted lettuce leaves. Immediately toss the leaf in sink-filled cold water to restore its freshness and crispness.
Why do salads taste better at a restaurant?
Restaurants use really good ingredients.
As a home cook, you can shop for just a handful of fresh, in-season ingredients that you’ll use right away, which actually gives you an edge over those in professional kitchens.
What is sprayed on lettuce?
Water is sprayed on produce in grocery stores to keep them fresh and attractive. While the misting system could theoretically be used with chemicals, all grocery stores traditionally just use water.
How do you keep lettuce crisp after washing?
If you notice your lettuce is wilting, you can revive it by submerging the leaves in a bowl of ice water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then remove and thoroughly pat dry. This will shock and crisp up the leaves.
What kind of lettuce do restaurants use?
Iceberg is widely used in restaurants and grocery stores because of its long shelf life and low cost compared with romaine lettuce.
Does washing lettuce get rid bacteria?
But leafy greens, like other vegetables and fruits, are sometimes contaminated with harmful germs. Washing leafy greens does not remove all germs. That’s because germs can stick to the surface of leaves and even get inside them.
Is bleach a food safe sanitizer?
As shown in Table 1, about one tablespoon (1/2 fluid ounce, 15 ml) of typical chlorine bleach per gallon of water is the maximum that should be used for sanitizing food contact surfaces, according to federal regulation. If higher concentrations are used, the surface must be rinsed with potable water after sanitizing.
Do restaurants use bleach to wash dishes?
Sodium hypochlorite bleach, of which Clorox is the big (overpriced) brand, is commonly added to the wash or rinse water for hand dishwashing in restaurants, etc. It’s also an expedient treatment additive for drinking water under field circumstances where microbial contamination is suspected.
Do you really need to wash lettuce?
Yes, it’s important to wash all fresh produce, but especially leafy greens and lettuce. Harmful bacteria from the soil can contaminate fruits and vegetables and lead to a foodborne illness if consumed. There’s a higher risk associated with produce that is eaten raw, like romaine lettuce and salad greens.
How do you disinfect iceberg lettuce?
How to Wash a Head of Lettuce
- Prepare a bowl of cold water. To clean lettuce, first, fill a large bowl with cold water.
- Remove any damaged leaves. Before washing heads of lettuce, remove any damaged outer leaves and cut off the stem ends.
- Wash the leaves in the water.
- Dry the lettuce thoroughly.
- Remove any excess water.