What’s That Red Stuff on Lettuce? : The Hearty Soul

Have you ever seen a reddish-brown discoloration on your lettuce and wondered if it’s gone bad? That red stuff on lettuce is actually called rusty lettuce, a harmless condition caused by a chemical reaction between the iron in the soil and the pigment molecules in the lettuce. Despite its appearance, rusty lettuce is safe to eat and doesn’t affect the taste or nutritional value of the lettuce. Factors such as excess moisture and high humidity contribute to this phenomenon, but there are ways to prevent it. Keeping lettuce dry, choosing fresh greens, and storing lettuce in the refrigerator can help prevent rusty lettuce. So next time you see that red color, rest assured that it’s still good to eat.