Experts from the American organization Consumer Reports analyzed data on food products that most often caused poisoning and disease outbreaks in 2017–2022. Based on the results of the study, they compiled a list of the 10 most dangerous products that are better not to buy or to use with extreme caution.
In first place are leafy greens, including romaine lettuce and packaged mixes. During this period, they caused 614 poisonings, 11 of whom died. The main threat is E. coli and listeria, which can get into greens through contaminated irrigation water or during processing at enterprises.
What experts advise:
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choose whole heads of lettuce rather than chopped packaged options;
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Remove the outer leaves, where bacteria most often accumulate.
In the top three most dangerous:
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cheese and cold cuts - due to the risk of listeriosis;
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Ground beef is a source of E. coli and salmonella, especially if it is not cooked properly.
Other dangerous products include:
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onion,
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turkey,
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chicken,
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papaya,
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peaches,
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melon,
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flour.
All of these products have been implicated in investigations of mass poisonings recorded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Experts urge consumers to carefully wash fruits and vegetables, observe storage temperature, and not eat raw meat and minced meat. People with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly should be especially careful.
