(NaturalNews) Do you think that just because a food is pre-washed that it's safe for consumption? Think again.

Experts from the University of California, Riverside, want to make it very clear: even though labels on the packages of leafy greens such as spinach might indicate that it's been pre-washed or even triple-washed, the leaves are still loaded with bacteria that can wreak havoc on your health. In fact, it's estimated that the typical techniques used in commercial spinach washing processes neglect to remove a whopping 90 percent of bacteria, a finding that makes growing your own food even more appealing.

Interestingly, you can also place much of the blame on the fact that spinach has smart leaves; experts involved in the research note that the grooves and valleys on each leaf act in a manner that actually protects the spinach from the commercial cleaning process, which typically involves washing with water or using bleach rinses.

Grooves in spinach leaves "...pathway to amplifying foodborne outbreaks"

"In a sense the leaf is protecting the bacteria and allowing it to spread," says Nichola Kinsinger, a post-doctoral researcher. "It was surprising to discover how the leaf surface formed micro-environments that reduce the bleach concentration and in this case the very disinfection processes intended to clean, remove, and prevent contamination was found to be the potential pathway to amplifying foodborne outbreaks."

The scary bottom line is that the bacteria latches onto the leaf, finding a safe haven away from various cleansing rinses from within the leaf grooves. It is there that bacteria linger and continue to thrive even after being washed and can then spread to other leaves in a produce facility. Ultimately, you're left with a plateful of health-harming greens; previous research in the mid-to-late 2000s demonstrated that about 20 percent of single-commodity foodborne outbreaks were linked to leafy green produce.

Furthermore, the Center for Disease Control says that one in six Americans fall ill and that 3,000 die every year from foodborne-related diseases. More loss is also incurred beyond human health; from a financial standpoint, it is estimated that the food industry loses approximately $75 billion annually due to such contamination and outbreaks.

"Despite current disinfection rinsing, bacteria are surviving on the leaf and causing cross contamination, resulting in the numerous outbreaks we hear about in the media," says Kinsinger. "Pathogens can come from irrigation waters or from water used during processing, and they can adhere to spinach leaves. If these bacteria are not all killed in the disinfection process, they can continue to live, grow, spread and contaminate other surfaces within the facility and other leaves."

Although disinfectant might be put into the rinse water, it's not necessarily applied directly to the leaf surface, and therein lies much of the problem.

To avoid foodborne illness, which often occurs in the consumption of raw or undercooked foods, it's best to thoroughly wash leafy greens before eating them. Don't be fooled by the fact that the "pre-washed" labeling says the job's already been done for you; just remember those sneaky, smart leaves and the fact that the washing process hardly comes in direct contact with the leaves.

Turn to the Health Ranger's advice: innovations to grow your own food

For an even better alternative to washing at your own kitchen sink, why not give serious consideration to growing your own food? Health Ranger Mike Adams has long been an advocate of doing so, citing improved health, improved food security and bolstered self-sufficiency, especially involving potential SHTF and survivalist scenarios.

He's mentioned FoodRising.org on several occasions, encouraging people to consider turning to healthy food-growing alternatives that mainly involve 3D open source technology in which the likes of lettuce, anti-cancer herbs, strawberries, various greens and root vegetables can be grown in your own environment with ease.

Consider visiting FoodRising.org today to learn more about these innovations, including how you can even make your own Mini-Farm Grow Box. You'll be armed with essential information to grow your own foods, putting you in complete control over food safety while ensuring optimal health.

Sources for this article include:
DailyMail.co.uk
ScienceDaily.com
UCRToday.ucr.edu
NaturalNews.com