and those with weakened immune systems—may need to take additional precautions with raw foods.
What About Pre-Washed Vegetables?
If a package says the produce is ready-to-eat or has already been washed, follow the package instructions.
Washing produce again isn’t always necessary and can sometimes introduce contamination from your sink, hands, or other kitchen surfaces.
The Good News: Don’t Fear Your Vegetables
The important message isn’t that lettuce, spinach, watercress, sprouts, or herbs are dangerous.
They’re not.
Fresh vegetables remain an important part of a healthy diet.
The real lesson is that food safety matters even when the food looks perfectly fresh.
A vegetable can look, smell, and taste normal while still carrying microorganisms that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
So instead of avoiding raw vegetables, make safe preparation a habit.
A Simple Checklist
Before eating raw vegetables:
Wash your hands.
Rinse produce under running water.
Remove damaged portions.
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