Alexei Volkov
In recent years, several videos have gone viral on social media, showing people peeling off a plastic-like film from the leaves of store-bought lettuce. This has sparked concerns about plastic contamination in lettuce and raised questions about its potential impact on consumer health. While some speculate that this film is a protective coating applied during cultivation or storage, others worry that it indicates the presence of harmful substances. As a result, consumers are left wondering whether the lettuce they purchase is safe to consume and, if so, what this substance truly is.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic-like substance on lettuce | Natural substance formed in cold weather |
| Videos showing plastic-like substance | Misleading, not plastic but epidermal peeling |
| Epidermal peeling | Occurs due to freezing weather conditions, forming a protective layer |
| Agronomic conditions | May induce toughness in vegetables, impacting texture |
| Protective film | Waxy liquid or edible oil-based material sprayed on leaves to extend shelf life |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic-like film on lettuce leaves
A video has gone viral on social media showing a woman peeling what appears to be a plastic film off of a cos lettuce. The video has sparked concern among viewers, especially in light of the recent E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, which caused at least 80 infections and more than 40 hospitalizations.
However, experts have confirmed that the substance in the video is not plastic. Instead, it is a natural phenomenon known as epidermal peeling or "freeze burn". This occurs when lettuce is exposed to freezing temperatures, causing the outer skin of the lettuce to blister and form a protective layer that can be peeled off. While it may resemble plastic, this layer is entirely natural and is not a sign of contamination.
The protective layer is similar to the skin blister that forms on human skin after a burn. It is worth noting that this phenomenon is not unique to lettuce and can also be observed in other leafy vegetables such as bok choy and Telferia occidentalis. The formation of this layer is influenced by agronomic conditions, particularly temperature variations during the growing and storage periods.
While the video does not depict plastic-covered lettuce, it is important to address the broader issue of plastic use in the food industry. Plastic packaging is commonly used to extend the shelf life of fresh produce, and alternatives, such as edible coatings, are being explored to reduce plastic waste. These edible coatings can include waxy liquids or oil-based materials sprayed onto the surface of fruits and vegetables to prevent moisture loss and slow down spoilage.
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Epidermal peeling
A video has been circulating online of a woman peeling what appears to be a thin plastic film from a lettuce. The video has been associated with a nationwide E. coli outbreak affecting romaine lettuce. However, the plastic-like film is not related to the contamination. It is, in fact, a natural phenomenon known as epidermal peeling.
The peeling is more likely to occur in romaine lettuce grown in the Arizona/California desert region, which experiences sub-freezing nights during the winter season. While it may be unappetizing to see, epidermal peeling is purely a cosmetic defect and does not affect the flavour or quality of the lettuce. It is safe to consume lettuce with epidermal peeling, and the peeling can be removed by boiling the lettuce, which causes the layer to peel off.
Agronomic conditions, such as the use of pesticides, may also contribute to the toughness of the outer layer of lettuce, although this is separate from epidermal peeling.
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Health scares and E. coli
There have been several health scares and E. coli outbreaks linked to lettuce in recent years. In 2018, an E. coli outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region, which supplies lettuce to the US during November–March. The FDA advised consumers to avoid all romaine lettuce from Yuma, and the product was withdrawn from the market. There was also an outbreak in 2019, where the Public Health Agency of Canada advised Canadians in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick not to eat romaine lettuce while the investigation was underway. The US Food and Drug Administration traced the source of the outbreak to California.
Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are often associated with E. coli outbreaks, due to the way they are grown in soil that is prone to contamination. The produce can be exposed to animal faeces or contaminated water, and the risk of this is higher if the crops are grown near animal production facilities. The water can then be absorbed by the raw crops, and the bacteria cannot be washed out. The risk of E. coli is also increased by the fact that these vegetables are often eaten raw. However, boiling or cooking leafy greens can kill the bacteria.
In 2020, a video went viral on social media, showing a woman peeling a plastic-like coating off a lettuce. This was linked to the recent E. coli scare, however, experts explained that the coating is a natural phenomenon known as epidermal peeling, caused by rapid temperature changes where the lettuce is grown or stored.
There have been several other E. coli outbreaks linked to lettuce, including a multistate outbreak in 2006, which resulted in 102 hospitalizations and three deaths. Another multistate outbreak in 2018 was linked to romaine lettuce and resulted in dozens of hospitalizations and one death. Despite these health scares, the FDA is not required to share information about all foodborne illnesses it investigates, and in some cases, it does not publicize outbreaks.
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Is the plastic film sprayed on?
There are speculations about the presence of plastic on store-bought lettuce. Some videos circulating on social media show people peeling off a plastic-like film from the lettuce leaves. However, the claim that this film is plastic has been debunked by agricultural experts and researchers. The substance is actually the result of epidermal peeling, a natural phenomenon that occurs when lettuce is exposed to freezing temperatures, resulting in the formation of a thin protective layer that can be peeled off. This layer is not related to contamination or E. coli, as some people have speculated.
While the substance in the videos is not plastic, there are speculations that some type of protective film could be sprayed on lettuce leaves to extend their shelf life. This film could be made from a waxy liquid or edible oil-based material, similar to the protection provided by plastic containers or stretch films for other types of food. However, it is unclear how common this practice is, and it may be challenging to apply such a film evenly among the leaves.
One video posted on Facebook by Karen Martin Collins in 2018 showed her peeling what appeared to be a thin plastic film from romaine lettuce. Collins claimed that the lettuce sold in stores was contaminated and that the plastic film was a result of this contamination. This video went viral, especially in light of the recent E. coli outbreak affecting romaine lettuce, which caused at least 80 infections and more than 40 hospitalizations.
However, agricultural experts and fact-checking websites like Snopes have debunked the claim that the substance in the video is plastic. They explained that the film is a natural occurrence called epidermal peeling, which has nothing to do with contamination or E. coli. Romaine lettuce, which is mainly grown in Arizona, is often exposed to freezing temperatures, leading to the formation of the peelable protective layer.
While the substance seen in the videos is not plastic, it is worth noting that some produce may be treated with edible coatings to extend shelf life. These coatings can be made from natural substances like waxes or oils, but they are not the same as the plastic-like film seen in the viral videos.
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![12" x 16" Clear Plastic Produce Bag on a Roll, Food Storage Bags for Vegetables, Bread, Fruits and Meat, Easy To Tear, Continuous Roll- 350 Bags/Roll - [2 Rolls]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61cPOnNaGVL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Are the videos of plastic lettuce real?
Several videos have surfaced online of people peeling what appears to be a plastic film off of lettuce leaves. These videos have caused a buzz online, especially in light of the recent E. coli outbreaks affecting lettuce. However, experts have confirmed that this translucent parchment is not plastic. Instead, it is a natural response of the lettuce to cold temperatures, similar to how human skin gets frostbite. This phenomenon is known as epidermal peeling or blistering, and it occurs when lettuce is exposed to freezing temperatures, causing a thin protective layer to form on the leaves that can be peeled off. While it may look concerning, this peeling is a purely cosmetic defect that does not affect the lettuce's flavor or safety.
One of the earliest videos to go viral was posted by Karen Martin Collins on Facebook in April 2018. In the video, Collins is seen peeling what looks like plastic off romaine lettuce, claiming that store-bought lettuce is contaminated. This video was followed by another resurfaced video from July 2018, featuring Emmanuel Kucherovsky doing the same. These videos sparked a wave of similar videos and posts on social media, with people expressing concern about the presence of plastic in their lettuce.
While the videos may seem convincing, agricultural experts and researchers have debunked the claims. Websites like Snopes, Metro.us, and wusa9.com have published articles stating that the plastic-like coating is, in fact, the epidermal or skin layer of the lettuce. They explain that extreme temperature changes where lettuce is grown or stored can lead to epidermal peeling, which is a natural phenomenon and not a sign of contamination.
It is important to note that the process of growing, storing, and transporting lettuce can sometimes involve the use of waxes or oil-based coatings to extend shelf life and protect the produce. However, these coatings are not the same as the natural epidermal peeling seen in the videos. While the idea of consuming plastic may be concerning, it is essential to rely on scientific explanations and expert advice to separate fact from fiction.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the substance that resembles plastic is a natural substance called epidermal peeling, which occurs when lettuce is exposed to freezing temperatures.
The plastic-like film is caused by extreme temperature changes where the lettuce is grown or stored. It is a protective layer that forms due to a type of "freeze burn".
No, the substance is not harmful. It is a natural phenomenon and is not related to any contamination or health scares such as E. coli.
It is unlikely that the plastic-like film is caused by pesticides. It is possibly the natural epidermis of the lettuce or a waxy liquid and/or edible oil-based material sprayed on to extend shelf life.
