Why is dunking butter lettuce leaves in a bowl of water discouraged during cleaning?

Answer

It can redistribute potential contaminants from one leaf to another

The recommended preparation protocol for raw leafy greens like butter lettuce emphasizes rinsing under cool, running tap water for each individual leaf rather than submerging them in a static bowl of water. The critical reason for this distinction lies in preventing cross-contamination. If leaves are simply dunked in a bowl, any potential pathogens or debris washed off the first leaf immediately contaminate the entire volume of water. Subsequent leaves dipped into that same water will then pick up those redistributed contaminants, effectively failing to clean them and potentially increasing the overall risk of foodborne illness compared to the running water method which continuously flushes away debris.

Why is dunking butter lettuce leaves in a bowl of water discouraged during cleaning?

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