The 5 Things You Should Know About Supermarkets
Get the real story on those shrink-wrapped cucumbers. Plus, more ways to be a smarter shopper in the produce aisle.
By Lynn Andriani
Those mister sprays are your friend enemy ally, but proceed with caution.
The mister heads you see in most produce aisles are there to keep produce from wilting. When monitored and adjusted regularly, they're aimed at leafy greens along with loose lettuce, celery and root vegetables (such as carrots and radishes), as well as cabbage, green onions and parsley. Ideally, the misters are kept away from mushrooms, peppers, asparagus, eggplant and summer squash, which should not be watered (watering can assist micro-organisms in degrading and eventually spoiling these foods). That's not to say you should avoid buying those veggies if they've recently been sprayed; just be sure to examine them closely for signs of deterioration.
Published 08/20/2015