The ‘Triple-Washed’ label Scam —Experts Recommend Thoroughly Washing and Drying, as Studies Link Bagged Greens to Rising Colon Cancer in Young Adults
Eating clean has long been the millennial mantra—green juices, plant-based everything, and of course, salad. But new research is flipping that narrative on its head. A recent study has linked a common stomach bug found in tainted leafy greens to the alarming rise of colon cancer in people under 50. Yes, your salad might be hiding more than just extra kale.
The culprit? Clostridium perfringens—a bacteria typically responsible for food poisoning outbreaks—has been showing up in pre-washed, bagged salads and poorly handled produce. While these bugs usually just cause a rough 24 hours in the bathroom, researchers are discovering something far more sinister: repeated exposure may be quietly damaging the gut lining and triggering long-term inflammation, a key risk factor for early-onset colorectal cancer.
What's wild is that while colon cancer used to be something doctors mainly screened for after 50, we're now seeing it in people as young as their 20s and 30s. And it’s not just genetics. Scientists believe this rise could be tied to our environment—what we eat, how it’s processed, and the bacteria we unwittingly swallow.
So what can you do?
Wash everything, even that triple-washed spinach.
Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meats and produce separate.
Be mindful of how long your lunch sits out at room temperature (bacteria love that).
And finally, don’t ignore weird gut symptoms just because you’re “too young” for cancer. Gas, bloating, blood in stool, or changes in bowel habits? Get checked. Early detection saves lives.
