TUESDAY, Oct. 6, 2009 (Health.com) — Leafy greens such as spinach, cabbage, and kale are rich in healthy nutrients, but they also top the list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which released the list Tuesday at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Leafy greens are one of the easiest ways to get food poisoning because they can be contaminated with germs such as noroviruses, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7. Leafy greens have accounted for 363 outbreaks of foodborne illness and have sickened 13,568 people since 1990, according to the consumer advocacy group.
Also on this list of hazardous groceries: eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries. The FDA is responsible for regulating produce, seafood, egg, and dairy products (but not meat), and these 10 foods account for close to 40% of all foodborne illness outbreaks associated with FDA-regulated foods. (You can view the list as a slideshow, the 10 Types of Food That Can Make You Sick).
If contaminated, the top 10 risky foods (as well as other types of food that didn’t make the list) can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea, or much more serious problems that can result in kidney failure and death. “Some of the most healthful and ubiquitous foods are falling in the top 10 riskiest foods,” says Sarah Klein, a staff attorney for the CSPI. “Consumers certainly shouldn’t avoid these foods, because they are everywhere and are part of a healthy diet,” she says.
Currently there is legislation in Congress that seeks to modernize the food safety program. “We need to bring food safety and the FDA into the 21st century,” she says.
Next page: How to minimize your risk
Comments (2)
i have just eaten 2 poached eggs on toast , at 11am ,its now 1.42pm .. have severe stomach pain , had to lie down on my bed clutching my stomach , almost labour like pain .this is the 3rd time in as many weeks . I have changed brands 3 times too , same chronic reaction
Kept a diary & its takes between 2& 3 hrs for the pain to subside ……..ive NEVER had a problem with eggs before this THANKU for your time reading this!.
This sounds like irritable bowel syndrome. It is triggered by certain foods and the gas and pain are like nothing you’ve ever felt. I literally just used to curl up in a ball on my bed and wait it out.
There’s lots of resources on this. I can recommend href=http://www.collectivewizdom.com/WhyIBSisontheRise but you can alo just google to find out more.