Pre-packed salads 8216;could lead to food poisoning8217;

According to them, the germs live in the guts of cows and the egg-ducts of chickens, and contamination of meat could happen during slaughtering. They can also spread to salads and vegetables fertilised with contaminated manure or via contact with contaminated products.

In fact, in their study, they found that salmonella can contaminate salads and vegetables by gripping the leaves with their flagella 8212; spiny propellers which the bacteria use to move, the Daily Mail reported.

Lead researcher Professor Gadi Frankel said: 8220;In their efforts to eat healthily, people are eating more salad products 8212; choosing to buy organic brands and also preferring the ease of pre-washed bagged salads from supermarkets 8211; than ever before.

8220;All of these factors, together with the globalisation of the food market, mean that cases of salmonella and E.coli poisoning caused by salads are likely to rise in the future. This is why it8217;s important to get a head start with understanding how contamination occurs now.8221;

According to Prof Frankel, even a label stating food was pre-washed did not mean it was safe to eat. 8220;It is about individual choice, but people should be aware of the risks so they can make informed decisions about whether they want to wash their food or not.8221;