Trivia These 7 Foods Are Most Likely to Cause Food Poisoning, CDC Says

[Beatriz9]

EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN EATING OR PREPARING THEM​

1. Raw and undercooked meat and seafood​

Your preference for a raw burger or steak could be putting you in harm's way, according to the CDC. Raw meat products can harbor Yersinia bacteria, which causes approximately You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and 35 deaths in the U.S. annually; E. coli, which leads to life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome in up to 10 percent of infections; and Salmonella, which is associated with You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and 420 U.S. deaths per year.

The CDC also reports that most raw poultry products are contaminated with Campylobacter, a type of bacteria that is associated with approximately You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in the U.S. each year. They may also be contaminated with Clostridium perfringens, a type of bacteria that causes illness in You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. each year; and Salmonella, as well as other types of bacteria.

2. Fruits and vegetables​

While fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, they are also a major source of food poisoning from E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

To protect yourself, the CDC recommends washing or You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. with running water and only peeling them once they've been washed to avoid contaminating their flesh with bacteria from their peels. Feder agrees, saying that he recommends "thoroughly [washing] your fruits and vegetables after you buy them… The best way to prevent yourself from ingesting these bacteria is to thoroughly rinse and wash your produce you buy."

The CDC also notes that fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder within two hours of preparation, or one hour if it's over 90 degrees outside.

3. Raw milk products​

Though some people claim that raw milk products provide certain health benefits, experts say otherwise.

"None of the claims made by the raw milk advocates that we have examined…can You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.," the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) explains.

In fact, the CDC notes that raw milk and products made from raw milk are frequently contaminated with Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, all of which can cause serious illness. To play it safe, the CDC cautions against drinking or eating any raw milk products and sticking to those made with pasteurized milk instead.

4. Eggs​

Love a sunny-side-up egg? It could be putting your health at risk. Eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning and may lead to more serious illness or even death, the CDC says.

To protect yourself, the agency recommends keeping eggs refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, using pasteurized eggs in recipes that call for raw or lightly cooked eggs, cooking egg dishes to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and refrigerating eggs or any foods that have eggs in them within two hours of preparing them or one hour on a day that's 90 degrees or above. The CDC notes that purchasing exclusively pasteurized eggs may help reduce your risk of illness, as well.

5. Seafood and raw shellfish​

You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. are most commonly associated with Salmonella and Vibrio vulnificus, the latter of which is most frequent in oysters and is associated with You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in the U.S. each year. Vibrio vulnificus You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. (when a wound comes into contact with raw or undercooked seafood, its juices, or drippings) result in the death of approximately 20 percent of those infected, often within days of first becoming sick.

Seafood should be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be reheated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, the CDC says.

6. Sprouts​

Love putting raw sprouts on your salad? You might want to think twice next time you belly up to the salad bar.

"The warm, humid conditions needed to grow sprouts are also ideal for germs to grow. Eating raw or lightly cooked sprouts, such as alfalfa, bean, or any other sprout, may lead to food poisoning from Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria," the CDC says. They say sprouts are best—and safest—enjoyed after cooking. "Thoroughly cooking sprouts kills the harmful germs and reduces the chance of food poisoning."

7. Raw flour​

You probably already know you shouldn't eat raw cøøkíé dough because of the risk of food poisoning due to raw eggs—but did you know you shouldn't be eating raw flour, either? "Flour is typically a raw agricultural product that hasn't been treated to kill germs," the CDC writes. "Harmful germs can contaminate grain while it's still in the field or at other steps as flour is produced. Bacteria are killed when food made with flour is cooked."

Next time you're baking, stay safe and wait to enjoy the finished product.

(S) bestlifeonline