Ready salad germs, molds & insecticide

Many prepared salads are contaminated with germs, molds and pollutants

01/20/2015

Ready salads have in a recent study of the journal „Eco test“ extremely poorly cut in terms of germ and pollutant loads. „ In our test, two out of three bags contained too many germs“ and only „a single mixed salad cuts with "good“ the magazine reports „Eco test“. Ready salads from the plastic bag are therefore no alternative to the fresh (organic) salad.

In the course of the test, the examiners examined three bags each of nine different types of ready-to-eat lettuce, and in some cases discovered significant contamination with germs, molds and pesticides. „As many as 18 of the 27 bags tested have germ counts that break one of the respective DGHM guidelines (DGHM = German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology)“, so the message from „Eco test“. Accordingly, two out of three samples are significantly contaminated with germs. The sad leaders were according to the magazine „a sample of the REWE salad, which exceeds three of the guideline values ​​(total germ count, molds and yeasts), as well as a bag from the Sonnengrün Feldsalat Mix from Kaufland, which not only reaches the guideline value but also the ten times higher warning value with its mold contamination.“

Harmful substances in many salad samples
Furthermore, according to the announcement of „Eco test“ in 16 samples perchlorate and / or chlorate. Both substances could temporarily block iodine uptake into the thyroid, which is particularly problematic for children, pregnant women, and people with hypothyroidism. In addition, chlorate could additionally damage the red blood cells. Also critical are the detected pesticide residues. Although the burden has decreased here compared to earlier salatests. This does not mean, however, „that the producers have injected less, since the salads have already been washed several times, which reduces the residues“, so the message from „Eco test“.

Insecticides, fungicides and other chemicals
In the prepared salads were loud „Eco test“ traces of up to eight different chemicals were still found on the leaves (Sonnengrün Feldsalat Mix from Kaufland) and in seven bags the laboratory had detected traces of the fungal poison iprodione - „in a sample of Florette Herzhaft & Delikat Emotions Mischsalat even more.“ This fungicide is suspected of causing cancer. The insecticide cypermethrin, which is responsible for bee mortality, was detected in nine bags (every third sample) - including, for example „all samples of the Bonduelle creation salad mix and penny sun garden fresh lamb's lettuce mix.“

Ready salads generally not recommended
Overall draws „Eco test“ an extremely bad picture of the ready salad quality. This is according to Dr. Petra Hiller, Department of Biological Safety of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), also due to the processing. Because according to Hiller „destroys plant cells when cutting salads“ and „the exiting cell sap may favor the growth of bacteria.“ In the packaging or film bags, the prevailing humidity also provides an ideal climate for the accelerated growth of microorganisms. For this reason recommend the BfR „especially sensitive groups such as pregnant women and immunocompromised persons, as a precaution to abstain from the consumption of pre-cut, packaged lettuce.“ (Fp)