Should You Wash Pre-Washed Salad? Food Safety Experts Weigh In

"Pre-washed" or "triple washed" greens, like many store-bought shortcuts, can make meal prep delightfully convenient. They're designed to be used right out of the bag or box and are often labeled "ready to eat." However, you might have been tempted to give pre-washed produce another rinse just to make sure it's actually safe to eat. Is that necessary? To find out, we asked food safety experts to explain what pre-washed means, plus whether you need to wash pre-washed greens at home.   

What Does "Pre-Washed" Mean?

Produce that has been pre-washed means that the grower has washed it to remove soil. They might wash the produce by spraying it with water or passing it through a water bath, says Kimberly Baker, PhD, RD, LD, food systems and safety program team director at Clemson University Cooperative Extension. In some cases, a food-safe sanitizer might be added to the wash water; the sanitizer is meant to prevent the spread of bacteria between pieces of produce while they're in the bath, rather than disinfect the product itself. "After washing, the produce is packed to be shipped to the end supplier or consumer," says Baker.

Do You Need to Wash Pre-Washed Greens?

If you stay up to date on food news and produce recalls, you might, understandably, be hesitant to trust products that have been pre-washed or triple-washed. However, it's actually not recommended to wash pre-washed produce at home, as the habit can present several risks, says Shannon Stover, MS, RD, food safety educator at Michigan State University Extension.

According to Baker, the washing process at home doesn't make produce any safer, as it can provide an opportunity for cross-contamination if said produce is mishandled. "Some risk factors include dirty water, a contaminated sink, drying the produce with a contaminated cloth, or allowing the product to dry on a contaminated surface," says Stover.

Are There Exceptions?

Whether the greens are boxed or bagged, or are salads or microgreens, there are no scenarios when pre-washed produce should be washed, says Baker. 

You may be tempted to give it a rinse if the packaging is torn, but in this case, it should be thrown out rather than being washed and consumed. Similarly, if the produce is expired or stored improperly (for example, out of the refrigerator), it should be tossed.

Safety Tips for Pre-Washed Produce

While it's best to avoid washing pre-washed produce, it's not the only method for proper handling. Follow these tips to ensure your greens (pre-washed or otherwise) are safe to eat:

Keep Them Cool

"Pre-washed produce must be kept refrigerated, so ensure it's kept cold after purchase and stored in the refrigerator once you get home," says Baker. Additionally, keep the package unopened until you're ready to use it. "If you do not use all the produce at once, close the package so [to avoid contamination] and return to the refrigerator."

Wash Your Hands

"Proper handwashing is the number one way to reduce the risk of foodborne illness," says Stover. "Without proper handwashing, germs can be introduced to the pre-washed produce, resulting in bacterial growth."

To wash your hands correctly, use warm, running water and liquid soap. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to wash both the front and back. Rinse again with warm water, then dry your hands with a single-use paper towel.

Avoid Excess Moisture

Limiting exposure to condensation will not only help extend the shelf-life of your produce, but maintain its safety as well, says Stover. You can do this by putting a clean paper towel inside the bag or box and closing it securely; use a chip clip for bags. The paper towel will help absorb moisture and reduce condensation.