How long should packaged salad last?

[debodun]

I bough a large plastic container of what is called "spring mix" salad on Thursday to make a tossed salad to bring to church. I went to do that this morning and the salad was wilted and some pieces were slimy. I was disappointed that it didn't last even 3 days in the fridge. This photo isn't my actual purchase, it's just to show the type of container.

 

[Georgiagranny]

Doesn't the package have a "use by" date on it? If it so and it's not past the date, return it to the store and get a refund.

 

[Aunt Bea]

It’s pretty iffy.

I try to look for a long expiration date but even then a lot depends on how it was handled as it moved through the supply chain.

I’ve had some during the late fall and winter that wilted quickly as though it had frozen in transit.

I’ve had the best luck with these three packs of Romaine.



I use it in salads and in soups.

 

[Kate48]

Should last 4 days but rarely does.

 

[debodun]

Doesn't the package have a "use by" date on it? If it so and it's not past the date, return it to the store and get a refund.

Best by 11/20/25

 

[MarciKS]

today is the 23rd. it's past the date deb.

 

[debodun]

Yes, but the question is how long should it be good.

 

[MarciKS]

Yes, but the question is how long should it be good.

up until the best by date. beyond that is always a risk. i see you bought it on the best by date so it is 3 days past that so it's not suprising it spoiled.

 

[astralcat]

That is a bummer, having to throw it all out. It really should last up to a week in the fridge if the package is unopened so best not to open it until you are ready to use it. I never buy packaged prewashed salad greens mainly because I worry about contamination – I know they are safe to eat, though. To me, a head of lettuce is safer as only you handle it (other than the outside leaves, which I peel off). Shrugs. Just me and my many quirks…

 

[debodun]

It really should last up to a week in the fridge if the package is unopened so best not to open it until you are ready to use it.

I thought it would last at least 5 days. Nothing wrong with the fridge, everything else is okay. If there was a bruised leaf in the mix, that could start decay - like the proverbial bad apple in a barrel.

 

[That Lady in PA]

We eat greens every day.
We never buy any on or beyond the Best Buy date. Most of ours are bought a week or so before that date, and are gone before hitting the date.

Aunt Bea is right regarding romaine... lasts the longest!

 

[Aunt Bea]

Best by 11/20/25

I’m surprised that it didn’t have a yellow managers markdown sticker, being that close to the Best Buy Date.

 

[LadyEmeraude]

I most always buy unbagged iceberg lettuce. From my day
of purchase, it will always last me two weeks. Stays fresh
and crisp..

 

[Babs2u]

Sometimes I do slaw instead of salad because cabbage seems to hold up longer. I add things (tomatoes, cuke, celery) to make it interesting.

 

[CallMeKate]

I thought it would last at least 5 days.

Since you bought it on the 20th and best by date was the 20th, I may have let it go two days past, but that would be my limit.

 

[DebraMae]

It can be iffy. I've had the spring mix go bad before the use by date. Here it is the red lettuce in the mix that seems to start the whole decay process. I wish they would just quit putting it in there.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Best by 11/20/25

Yes, but the question is how long should it be good.

There’s your answer right there
You purchased something which you knew would be past the expiry date.

 

[Muskrat]

I try to avoid spring mix for exactly this reason. I buy the spinach and it lasts much longer

 

[againstthegrain]

It’s pretty iffy.

I try to look for a long expiration date but even then a lot depends on how it was handled as it moved through the supply chain.

I’ve had some during the late fall and winter that wilted quickly as though it had frozen in transit.

I used to sell spring mix for a living and AB is right on w her assessment. Spring mix is the most fragile of all the greens. Arugula, kale, and spinach and their blends are much more sturdy. When purchasing I dig around to the bottom and back of the display to get the freshest dates and the most consistently cooled product. And I choose which variety and brand to buy based on the date. No matter how far from the sell by date turn it upside down to check for wilt and slimy product, it'll prevent one from buying something that's been abused.

California romaine has the date it's packed or harvested on every bag so look for that, you'll be amazed at how long it sits around.

 

[seadoug]

I buy a lot of the "chopped" salad kits that have some interesting side ingredients and the dressing included. We have them for lunch with some type of protein on top 5 days a week. The chopped ones have ingredients like cabbage, broccoli, etc. and they seem to last the longest. The ones with lettuce can sometimes look wilted even before the "use by" date. I usually throw them out.

 

[debodun]

I didn't throw it away, but didn't bring it to the potluck. I just didn't want any risk of people getting sick from it. I actually ate some last night without any ill effects. It wasn't as bad as it looked and tasted okay, but was surprised how much condensation there was in the container. It was like it was washed and immediately packaged. Moisture hastens spoilage.

 

[EmptyCup]

I don’t have much to add except once opened, either eat it all that day or the next. I didn’t follow that rule once and became quite ill. Like my mother used to say - not worth getting sick over a dollar’s worth of food.

 

[IrishEyes]

My DH has worked in the produce section of grocery stores for his retirement job.
Many things contribute to how fresh that package can remain
1. How long it takes them to get it off the truck into cold storage
2. If the display unit is holding cool temps correctly
3. If the delivery truck's cooling system maintained it's temp
4. Clerks not taking expired dated packages off the racks.

An efficient delivery and stocking procedure should aid to make that package last a couple days past it's due date: hence: Sell by 00/00/000
it does not mean "do not eat after that date" . Unless of course you see signs it has warmed up and going bad.

My DH said to add this as what he is seeing currently as of 4 days ago:
They have been getting boxes of lettuce/salads where they are appearing NOT to be of the same date originally
packaged. Out of 24 units they are tossing out 5-8 units for signs of wilting or warm up.

He said... Be very careful right now as in all his years he has not seen so much product being tossed before
hitting the sales floor.
If you see packages not right on your shelves or racks at your market.... take them to the manager so they are
made aware and do a closer inspection and some clerks will just toss them and not notify management.

 

[StarSong]

I didn't throw it away, but didn't bring it to the potluck. I just didn't want any risk of people getting sick from it. I actually ate some last night without any ill effects. It wasn't as bad as it looked and tasted okay, but was surprised how much condensation there was in the container. It was like it was washed and immediately packaged. Moisture hastens spoilage.

With packaged salad mix, I open it when I get home, spread it out on a clean kitchen towel. dab the moisture off and pitch anything that's heading south. Split the remainder in thirds or quarters, wrapping each in a paper towel (rolled like a burrito). The paper towels absorb the moisture so the greens stay good much longer.

Sounds like a lot of work but takes less than five minutes and helps ensure the greens remain fresh.

 

[Murrmurr]

Yes, but the question is how long should it be good.

It doesn't last more than a few days if you keep it in that package. Rinse it off, pat it dry, and put it in a ziplock bag or a plastic container with a lid. Then it'll last at least 5 days.