There isn’t much good news in the world today, but what I just read is really disturbing. There was just a report released of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, these foods are thought to have great health benefits, but due to a lack of regulations, accounts for 40 percent of all food borne outbreaks. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has identified 363 outbreaks linked to leafy greens alone, which were contaminated with norovirus, E. coli or salmonella, causing 13,568 instances of illness. Contaminated irrigation water, manure and poor handling practices are possible causes of contamination.
Eggs are another food that got bad marks when it comes to illnesses. They have been linked to 352 outbreaks and over 11,000 illnesses. Tuna, oysters, potatoes and cheese are other foods that made the top 10 list. Ice cream, sprouts and berries also made the list, along with tomatoes, which none of us can forget. The FDA was involved in a whole fiasco last year over tomatoes and Serrano chilies that were grown in Mexico and sickened many people. This list comes as no surprise, with the FDA having a lack of a tracking system for produce coming into the US.
We all want to eat healthier, but make sure if you are eating any of the foods above, you buy them locally within 100 miles of your home. It is estimated that 20 people have handled tomatoes and leafy greens before they reach you, so make sure they are washed properly. Stick with produce that is grown here in the US. Unfortunately, foods from other countries are not under the same regulations as the US and the FDA is unequipped to deal with the magnitude of the situation.
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