Overview

• A recent Zyliss-commissioned survey of 2,000 UK adults found 17% admit they never wash salad leaves before eating
• Dr Deborah Lee warns that lettuce and other greens can harbour pathogens such as norovirus, Hepatitis A, salmonella, E.coli and listeria at every stage from farm to packaging
• Last summer’s outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli linked to UK-grown lettuce infected 288 people, leading to nine cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and two fatalities
• The UK Health Security Agency has documented a surge in STEC and other bacterial infections since the pandemic, issuing over 60 'do not eat' alerts on salads, sandwiches and wraps in 2024
• NHS and Food Standards Agency guidance now advises consumers to rewash bagged salads, thoroughly dry leaves, wash hands before preparation and use separate utensils to curb bacterial growth