The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim every person in the United States will get sick from something eaten this year. And even if you think you know how to prevent food poisoning, you may be surprised to learn where some food germs could be lurking.
Men’s Health magazine came out with a list of the top
10 dirtiest foods:
Some are no surprise; chicken, ground beef and ground turkey are the top three. All of them can pick up germs when processed. But if you cook them thoroughly, they should be safe to eat.
Raw oysters are fourth on the list. You should cook them unless you want to risk swallowing salmonella or E. coli. Eggs are fifth on the list. Experts advise that you cook eggs well to stay away from germs.
No. 6 on the list is cantaloupe. Many do not think to wash the outside of the melon because you never eat that part. “Your knife will go over the outside and if there is bacteria, it will take it into the inside,” said nutritionist Lisa Lachenmayer.
You should wash every kind of melon with soapy water before you slice it. Peaches are seventh on the list. A lot of pesticides are put on the peaches to get them to the store blemish-free.
No. 8 on the list is pre-packaged lettuce. E.coli on lettuce has made dozens of people on the West Coast sick over the past two years.
Cold cuts are No. 9. “Cold cuts can actually carry a bacteria called listeria that pregnant women are recommended to avoid because it can cause complications in pregnancies,” said Lachenmayer.
Rounding out the list as the No. 10 dirtiest food is scallions. There have been deadly hepatitis outbreaks at restaurants from scallions so you’re advised to clean and cook them at home and be wary of them in restaurants.
