NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — You’ve most likely observed that over the past ten years there have been almost 80 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Scary certain. However meals consultants say you don’t have to surrender lettuce.

You simply have to take a couple of precautions.

“We obtained recent romaine lettuce. We will take all of it aside. So we get each ounce of it good and clear,” Lindsay Kirtlan with Lindsay’s Kitchen stated.

Kirtlan makes about 200 salads each week.

“Eating places, we don’t got down to make individuals sick. So we have now to do our due diligence to make it possible for our clients are nicely cared for as a result of all we are attempting to do is serve the group,” she defined.

“Salad is one thing that we eat at room temperature. As a result of it isn’t heated, there’s no probability to kill off the micro organism,” stated Client Stories James Rogers.

Most up-to-date romaine lettuce recollects are linked to E. coli and listeria.

Why and the way? That’s tough to reply – Contamination can occur wherever from farm to desk. Cattle can carry lethal strains of E. coli. Their manure that has the micro organism, can seep into irrigation water and contaminate crops.

No single sort of leafy inexperienced is risk-free. However hydroponic lettuces, that are greenhouse-grown with out soil, are much less more likely to be contaminated by micro organism from animal droppings.

“Even when leafy greens are grown freed from dangerous micro organism, contamination can nonetheless happen throughout harvesting, processing, or packaging. That’s why it’s so essential you are taking further steps to guard your self,” Rogers added.

Complete heads of lettuce as an alternative of bagged greens may be safer. Complete heads don’t essentially have decrease micro organism ranges, however their inside leaves are much less uncovered to sources of contamination and are dealt with lower than bagged greens.

“Refrigerate bagged lettuce proper after you purchase it. It will not stop foodborne sickness however will gradual spoilage,” Rogers stated.

Purchase packages with expiration dates as far sooner or later as doable. Don’t purchase greater than you possibly can eat in a couple of days.

One other thought? Go for leafy greens that may be cooked, like spinach or kale. The warmth will kill the micro organism.

That is particularly essential for individuals who may be affected extra by the results of meals poisoning, like people who find themselves immunocompromised, pregnant or aged.