The Salad Bar Trap: How ‘Healthy’ Choices Can Carry Deadly Bacteria

🥗 The Salad Bar Trap: How ‘Healthy’ Choices Can Carry Deadly Bacteria

The hum of lunchtime chatter fills the air, and the gleam of stainless steel trays seems to promise freshness. Crisp lettuce, colorful vegetables, grilled chicken, and chilled dressings sit neatly under the glass. The salad bar — a symbol of clean eating and good choices — feels like the healthiest corner of any café or grocery store. But while it may look like a picture of wellness, it hides risks that are easy to overlook.

The Illusion of Freshness

Salad bars look spotless. Everything is organized, cool, and inviting. Yet, the word “fresh” doesn’t always mean “safe.” Raw produce doesn’t go through the same cooking process that kills harmful bacteria, so the only line of defense is how carefully it’s handled, cleane