Just be careful while cooking and you can still enjoy mostly every meal to your heart’s content.
In the US, over 48 million cases of food poisoning occur on a yearly basis, with almost 3,000 of them resulting in the patient’s untimely death. This is why food poisoning experts unveil 6 products one should refrain from eating. The person which created this list is named Bill Marler, who has been working in this field for over 20 years.
Bearing in mind that food contamination cases have started to surface more and more across the US, for instance at Chipotle and Blue Bell Creameries, knowing what food products one should keep away from has become increasingly important. But one has to take into account that the list of 6 products is based on the experts’ belief, being backed by statistics-based studies, not conclusive evidence.
The first one on the list from which a food poisoning expert would most assuredly refrain from ingesting is raw milk. This is due to the fact that up to this point, this type of milk has caused over 150 food poisoning outbreaks, which in turn caused Marler to completely dismiss its use. True, given the vast expanse of the US, 150 cases are just a small blip on the radar. As with each subsequent product on this list, it is still up to each and every individual’s preference regarding these products’ consumption.
Bean sprouts were also targeted because 19 salmonella outbreaks were linked to uncooked or simply lightly cooked sprouts. The concept of eliminating a food product depending on the cooking method was also applied to meat, with Marler strongly advising against undercooked meat. The ideal temperature should be above 160 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the experts, especially in regards to ground meat. During the grinding process, bacteria from the surface of said meat wind up inside its composition, remaining there unhindered if the beef patty isn’t thoroughly cooked.
Due to the chance of getting contaminated with Listeria, Marler also refrains from purchasing precut and prewashed vegetables and fruits, because this bacteria can easily grow in refrigerators. Instead, even if one would sacrifice convenience while doing so, people should purchase unwashed produce and eat it within a few days, after washing them at home, of course.
The concept of undercooking is easily applied to eggs as well, due to their potential of being salmonella carriers. Even if this threat has been steadily decreasing over the past 20 years, as farms have become more and more advanced, Marler still somewhat refrains from consuming raw or undercooked eggs, pointing out 2000 salmonella outbreaks from eggs in 2010.
Raw shellfish are also seen with the same skepticism, especially if one would take into account how warming water temperatures lead to an increase in microbial and toxic algae growth that get eaten by these marine animals. For instance, this could have been easily noticed in California, where a ban on Dungeness crab commercialization is still under effect.
Although food poisoning experts unveil 6 products one should refrain from eating, it’s still up to you if you want to abide by these rules or not, given the fact that some of these might seem a bit on the paranoic side of things.
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