Epidermal Peel
1:11 
1:51 On February 13, I
purchased a three-pack of Romaine lettuce from Fred Meyer
(Private Selection Organic - Kroger), Ray's (River Ranch
non-organic and Foxy Organic), Grocery Outlet (Earth Greens
Organic) and Shop Mart (Earth Bound Organic). I found the
fillm on all five brands. I contacted all five producers
through their web site, or by phone or eMail where
avaiable.
On 2/13/12 at 8:10 pm I wrote: I bought your organic Romaine at Ray's in Brookings OR and found the film on your product. Is it nature's way of protecting the lettuce, or is it a manufactured product added to the lettuce and if so, what's its name and is it organic? On 2/14/2012 8:31:04 A.M Matt Seeley replied: Thanks for writing to us. I would hope that if you are a journalist doing on story on this, you would contact someone who actually grows and harvests the product and get their response before putting something out for consumers that is pure rubbish. This video showcasing so-called plastic on lettuce items is a perfect example of people having absolutely no idea what they are talking about. If you want to call me to discuss it, I would happy to answer your questions. MY number is 831-751-7510. (I will call at 9am on 2/15/12) In the meantime, try Googling the words epidermal peel----Bottom line---product is grown outdoors. It gets cold, sometimes below freezing cold and the plant will literally freeze. Now let the product warm up. The blistering effect one sees on the lettuce is called epidermal peel-----not plastic that is applied or affixed to the plant. I know science can be tough for some people to navigate-----but I really wish the person behind the video had an ounce of common sense and maybe asked somebody about it---fact-checking I believe is the word...... If I didn't know better I would have thought Fox News did the story. Sorry for my vent/rant---but we have had numerous requests to talk about this non-story that it is frustrating so much misinformation can be sold as fact... Thanks again for writing On 2/14/2012 I replied: You should breathe before writing your own rant to someone who was doing what you were complaining we weren't doing, and that is contacting the people (Foxy Product) who package and I assume knows what they are packaging. There are so many chemical coatings used on food products today that are undisclosed by the growers and no Romaine Lettuce Producer's web site that I have found discusses or provides information on this situation or official response to this Plastic Lettuce story. I would challenge you, sir, to contact Dr. Mercola and the people who did the YouTube to inform them of "your facts". As a journalist, what I know is that "facts" are often lies, i.e., tobacco is safe, fracking is safe, etc., etc. I will call you Wednesday morning, February 15, 2012 at 9:00am PST. Have a Happy Valentine's Day. I called but Matt was in a meeting. At 8:44 am on 2/15/12 he sent this email: Gordon---perhaps a little over the top, but you were the third person yesterday asking about this and quite honestly I cannot believe the level of misinformation about fresh produce out there. And to your point, some of it is self-inflicted, as our industry does a horrible job of communicating with consumers about how our products our grown, what soil amendments/pesticides/fertilizers/etc. are used during the process and how products are harvested. However, statements like “There are so many chemical coatings used on food products today that are undisclosed by the growers” only add credibility to my rant.. We are a very heavily regulated industry as far as what we can and cannot apply to our products--- Look at the current uproar over methyl bromide. Further, the “Dr.” who did the video----(and this may also be a source of contention because the video I saw was of a housewife talking about it---It was not a Dr. or someone of authority) need only contact one of the major lettuce producers in the country---much like you did----and find out first hand that nobody is assembling Plastic Lettuce. That was not done---maybe it didn’t fit the story line. That would be objective and responsible. By the way, did you look up epidermal peel? On 2/16/12 I spoke with Matt Seeley at 9am. He confirmed the Epidermal Peel.
On 2/13/12 at 9:08 pm I wrote: I bought your Romaine at Ray's in Brookings OR and found the film on your product. Is it nature's way of protecting the lettuce, or is it a manufactured product added to the lettuce and if so, what's its name and is it organic? On 2/14/12 at 1:55pm Kim St Goerge replied: Are you referring to Romaine 3 count Hearts under the River Ranch brand? If so, this is a field packed item – and we recommend washing before consuming. Please let me know what other questions you have. On 2/14/12 at I asked my question again. On 2/15/2012 9:35:40 A.M Kim St Goerge replied: The bag used for packaging romaine hearts is made of 2 mil polyethylene. We don’t add anything (i.e. coating, or plastic) to romaine lettuce. The film or plastic coating on the leaves that you may be referring to is “Epidermal Peel” on romaine hearts which we have seen during last couple of months. Epidermal peel can happen when part of Romaine lettuce skin peels off from the rest of romaine tissues, mostly near the leaf rib area. It is caused by lower temperature during the winter growing season. What is being peeled off is NOT plastic. It’s called ‘epidermal peel’ (because you can peel it off!). Almost all lettuce grown this time of year is grown in the southwest United States. The days are sunny and warm, but the nights get really, really cold! So cold in fact, the mercury often dips below freezing. One of the results of lettuce’s exposure to the cold, is epidermal peel. Think of it as being similar to chapped lips. The cold damages the outer layer of the leaf and that layer beings to peel away from the rest of the leaf (that’s actually why it’s called epidermal peel). Epidermal peel might not look that pretty, but it is totally safe to eat and does not impact the flavor of your lettuce at all. Our RR Romaine Hearts
are not organic, but conventionally grown.
Produce News - January, 2009
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Response
from Ray's Organic brand (Foxy) contact form