According to Professor Hugh Pennington, washed, chopped, and ready to eat salads are not safe from the point of the view of the spread of Cryptosporidium infection.
As an example, one can name the outbreak, which occurred in May in England and Scotland. The infected spinach affected about 300 people. We know that similar outbreaks have taken place in the U.S.
Last year, the food giant, Dole salad, was forced to withdraw American Blend salads in 10 states after the signs of listeriosis had been found there. In Germany, in 2011, E. Coli killed 22 people. The farm, located in the south of Hamburg, was the source of infection for more than 2,000 people.
So, the proponents of healthy eating are in a difficult situation. The bacteria on leafy vegetables come directly from the soil, and killing pathogens can only be achieved when using strong chemicals. But then the purpose of preparing a salad is lost.
According to doctors, buying an already washed salad, a man may run the risk of Cryptosporidium, Salmonella and Listeria. Therefore, people are advised to wash even the already washed and packaged salad.
