Why Does Lettuce Turn Pink When You Cut It (and Is it Safe to Eat)?

Why Does Lettuce Turn Pink When You Cut It (and Is it Safe to Eat)?

Simply Recipes / Getty ImagesKey Takeaways• Lettuce turns pink due to a natural spoilage‑protective “rusting” reaction.• Exposure to moisture, air, and ethylene gas, as well as bruised leaves, speed up the pink discoloration.• Despite its appearance, pink‑tinged lettuce is safe to eat if leaves stay crisp.If there’s one color we tend to associate with lettuce, it’s definitely not pink. Visualize a head of crisp, green romaine that you’re choppin…