NEW YORK — Chiquita said last week it is using a new wash on its bagged salads that it says better kills bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.
Bacteria outbreaks have plagued the bagged salad industry, including a nationwide E. coli outbreak that sickened some 200 and was traced to bagged spinach. Dozens of brands were involved in the recall. Fresh Express salads, which are made by Chiquita, have been recalled as recently as May because of bacterial contamination.
Chiquita said it will no longer use the industry standard wash of chlorine, which it said still leaves some bacteria on the leaves.
Instead, it will use a mixture that it calls FreshRinse. It has no chlorine and kills the bacteria both on the greens and in the wash water.
Chief executive Fernando Aguirre said the rinse dramatically improves food safety.
“Chlorine is the abacus, and FreshRinse is the iPad,” he said at a news conference to announce the change.
Chiquita plans to share the rinse with its competitors. It will launch a campaign early next year to promote the rinse.
Chiquita, based in Cincinnati, said that by the end of this year or early next year the majority of Fresh Express salads will be made with the new rinse.
The new rinse is made with peroxyacetic acid, an organic peroxide, and lactic acid, which is found in some milk products. Both substances are already approved by regulators for use with food, so no additional approval is needed.
The company is applying for a patent for FreshRinse.
It should add no more than a few pennies in cost per bag, Chiquita said.
About FreshRinse
What it does: Chiquita said the new wash is better at killing bacteria and doesn’t use chlorine.
How it works: It kills bacteria both on the greens and in the wash water. It is made with peroxyacetic acid, an organic peroxide, and lactic acid.
Reaction: Chiquita said it will share the rinse with its competitors and is applying for a patent. The wash will be on the majority of its Fresh Express salads by later this year.
