Food safety experts reveal 10 foods to avoid due to the risk of foodborne illness

However, some everyday foods are not naturally perishable but may still be of concern due to the risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses. Typically, such illnesses occur when you consume contaminated food or beverages, potentially leading to infection or food poisoning. Some foods may also contain disease-causing viruses, bacteria or parasites, which is why it is important to take the right precautions, even if the foods are not traditionally ‘spoilt’.

In a report dated July 23 TimeFood safety experts identified 10 foods they consider risky and revealed why they prefer to avoid them. They came to these conclusions after years of investigation and evaluation of foodborne illness outbreaks. Their list included a variety of foods and beverages, from raw milk and undercooked meat to fruits such as melon.

As the Times reports, here are the 10 foods safety experts recommend avoiding:

1. Raw milk and raw cheese

Milk is usually boiled to kill harmful bacteria, whereas pasteurized milk is safe to drink without boiling. But sometimes, people can drink unsweetened, unsweetened milk. This is seriously harmful to your health.

The report cites food safety attorney Bill Marler, who described the consumption of raw milk as ‘ridiculous’. He highlighted pasteurization considering it a safe option. Over the years, he has seen many children who suffered kidney failure and developed neurological complications, or even died, due to foodborne illnesses linked to raw milk.

This means that raw milk targets mass organs: the kidneys and the brain. Such food borne diseases can also become life threatening.

2. Melon

Cantaloupe is a melon, and since cantaloupe is a hydrating fruit, rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, one cannot have any second thoughts about cantaloupe. But you need to check out some fruits too!

Shockingly, Darrin Detwiler, an associate teaching professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of Food Safety: Past, Present, and Prediction, reports in Time that melons are “one of the riskiest fruits” at the grocery store. He argued that the exterior of the melons could not be cleaned properly, posing a risk. When you cut the fruit, whatever contamination is on the surface goes straight into the fleshy part of the fruit.

Are there any rules that avoid this risk? Yes there is. Darin instructed that you should cut it and eat it immediately. He also warned that melons should not be cut and left lying like that for two hours.

How risky is this fruit really? The professor said that when you leave harvested fruit out for a long period of time, you actually see pathogens on the fruit because the melons develop something that looks like ‘powdered sugar dust.’

In fact, Darwin chose to abandon this fruit altogether because ‘the risk is not worth it.’ This shows that the risk factor is so high that no precautionary measures can provide adequate assurance.

3. Raw oysters and conch

Pescatarians and seafood lovers adore oysters and shellfish and may try them raw for some out-of-the-box gastronomic experimentation. But it may cost you dearly! The degree to which they are cooked makes a big difference and you should not take it lightly, as the report states that it falls on the ‘taboo list for many experts’.

But why doesn’t it pass the food safety scan?

This is actually due to their function in the marine ecosystem. They filter water through their bodies, so naturally they absorb harmful pollutants. When you are eating them raw, there is no doubt that you are also consuming contaminants.

Professor Detwiler is strongly against raw oysters and shellfish, and classifies them as his ‘personal three foods to avoid’. The same is true for food safety advocate Bill Marler, who points to a shared fear. They are also ‘notorious’ because any disease associated with them can be difficult to trace from this source.

4. Sushi Roll

Everyone’s favorite sushi gets the yellow light. This is not completely off the table, but caution is strongly needed. That’s the conclusion of Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease physician and president of Parasites Without Borders.

Their concern mainly comes from the fact that sushi may contain raw fish that may contain parasites. Dr. Griffin had a very interesting task for you that may reduce your appetite: “If you Google ‘fish with parasites’, it will probably reduce your appetite.” Since the ingredients are hidden inside the sushi rolls, Dr. Griffin chooses to leave them out.

Think about it: You can’t actually see what sushi looks like on the inside. It is layered and hidden like seaweed.

5. Undercooked pork

Pork is a widely consumed red meat, but it must be cooked properly to reduce the risk of diseases.

One of the experts, Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist and professor at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, confirmed that toxoplasma, a parasite that also spreads through cat feces, is linked to undercooked pork. Given the risks, she chooses to avoid it altogether.

What kind of pork does she avoid? They mark thicker cuts, such as pork tenderloin, as they can be difficult to cook completely. Undercooked pork may contain Toxoplasma, a parasitic protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis infection.

As we delve into meat-related risks, the report also includes the extremely personal and tragic story of Barbara Kowalczyk, director of the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University. His young son died from complications of a food-borne E. coli infection, which he believes was caused by contaminated ground beef in hamburgers.

6. Sprout

Sprouts may seem like a surprising entry on this list because they are otherwise considered healthy due to their nutritional profile. Still, there are enough reasons why Sprouts should land here. Barbara Kowalczyk discovered that raw sprouts cannot be easily cleaned, and bacteria may be present in the seeds. Simply washing them is not enough to remove contamination. He suggested cooking sprouts as a safe alternative.

7. Pre-cut fruits and vegetables

Food safety experts have classified it as an ‘easy pass’. It may be convenient, but the risk is still not worth it. Food safety attorney Bill Marler expressed concern over how pre-cut fruit might be handled: “You don’t know how long it’s been lying around, or whether the knives, the cutting surface, or the hands that touched it were clean.”

If you see pre-cut fruits and vegetables being sold in the market, avoid them. And instead of buying it whole and cutting it yourself.

8. Raw Eggs

Eggs are a good source of protein and have many benefits. But do not destroy the benefits of eggs by eating them raw. Food safety advocate Bill highlights a problematic habit in the kitchen. When you make cookie dough or any batter, many people can taste it. Avoid it, as it contains raw eggs. The reason for the bill was that most grocery stores do not sell pasteurized eggs, so you cannot eat them raw.

9. Undercooked Hamburger

Then, another type of meat has made its way to the list. According to Griffin, hamburger patties may not be completely safe if undercooked. This is because of how they are prepared. Differentiating a hamburger patty from a steak, he said, “With steak, the bacteria generally reside on the surface, where cooking kills them. However, grind that same meat into a hamburger, and any bacteria present gets mixed into the entire patty.”

Therefore, infectious disease physicians recommended ordering burgers well prepared to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, E. coli, or fecal contamination.

10. Potlucks and Picnic Food

Sometimes, picnic foods and potluck meals may be prepared by caterers or others, leaving you with some control over how safely they are prepared and handled. Epidemiologist Jim Roberts said she remains cautious about such foods. Even when preparing food at family cookouts, she remains alert and never leaves food over the heat for too long. He also recommended bringing only small portions at a time and keeping the rest refrigerated until needed.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.