One in six people get sick every year from what they eat. Food poisoning can be mild but in some people, can be severe and even lead to death. Some of the bugs causing this illnesses usually can’t be seen, smelled or tasted.
Chief Health Editor Dr. Partha Nandi answers your questions regarding food poisoning.
What are some of the top foods that can make you sick?
- Leafy greens - So lettuce, spinach and kale may be packed with nutrients, but can also have loads of bacteria. These greens account for 24% of all food outbreaks!
- Berries - These are colorful, delicious and full of antioxidants, but sometimes can be contaminated with cyclospora, a parasite that can give you cramping, diarrhea and dehydration.
- Cantaloupe - This delicious fruit can give big outbreaks of foodborne illness, and have resulted in hospitalization and death. The culprits are predominantly salmonella with occasional Listeria.
- Eggs - Eggs can also make you sick because of salmonella. Hens can contaminate the eggs even before the shells are formed.
- Ice Cream - This delicious treat can also be accompanied by bacteria. Last year, there was an outbreak with Listeria, where 3 people died.
What about seafood doc? Is that also bad?
- Tuna - This is a great source of protein, but can contain, scombrotoxin, causing cramps and headaches. This toxin starts to build up as the fish spoils.
- Oysters - Like my wife, many people love this delicacy. It can be harvested in waters contaminated with norovirus, and cause gastroenteritis if served raw. They can also contain vibrio a cousin of cholera and can cause life threatening illness with fever, chills, and septic shock!
So, what are your prescriptions Dr. Nandi?
- Wash your greens thoroughly. Avoid the bagged salads if possible, even the ones that claim to be prewashed. Some the commercial washing systems may not get rid of all the bacteria.
- Cook your eggs fully. Avoid raw eggs and choose scambled or boiled eggs instead of sunny side up or poached.
- For tuna, keep the tuna cold until you are preparing it. Get it in the fridge when you get it home.
- Avoid raw oysters. Pick steamed or baked preparations instead.
- Avoid precut fuit to decrease the chance of bacterial infection. Wash berries thoroughly before eating
Besides these tips, what else can we do to prevent illness?
We've said this many times before, but hand washing is key. Also,clean your cooking and preparation areas thoroughly. These practices can save your life.
