Retail and Consumer Losses in the Fall and Winter Crop of Western Head Lettuce Marketed in Metropolitan New York1

Abstract

Abstract Retail store losses of whole heads or their equivalents of western crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) in the fall and winter crop were 4.2 and 5.2% in field-wrapped and nonwrapped heads, respectively, during 1977-80 in metropolitan New York. Trimming losses increased the retail loss to 14% one year. Consumer level losses for 3 years was 11%. Bacterial soft rot and rusty brown discoloration were the chief causes of loss in retail stores. Mechanical injuries and russet spotting were the leading causes of loss in consumer samples.