Foodborne illnesses are not just discomforting but can also be deadly, as you may wonder which foods were the culprits behind your bout of diarrhoea and vomiting
There have been many cases of food poisoning across the world due to frequently changing weather. And with monsoons coming soon, food contamination is only going to grab more headlines. Foodborne illnesses are not just discomforting but can also be deadly—as you may wonder which foods were the culprits behind your bout of diarrhoea and vomiting.
According to a US company-based report, these are the top five foods that are linked to the largest foodborne illnesses. Take a look at them and understand why you may need to avoid them to prevent falling sick.
Cucumbers
While believed to be among the healthiest foods—known for hydration and nutrition—cucumbers can also make you sick. As per Consumer Reports, cucumbers can become riddled with Salmonella bacteria as they grow.
Experts believe runoff from any nearby livestock may contain animal waste - which can contaminate a farm’s soil or irrigation water.
Raw milk
Raw milk, which is not pasteurized - can be loaded with harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria that lead to various stomach-related illnesses.
Doctors say these bacteria lead to symptoms ranging from mild to severe and can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. According to doctors, pasteurization - the process of heating milk to a high temperature for a certain amount of time—kills any harmful bacteria.
Eggs
Eggs can lead to severe food poisoning, especially if you do not handle and cook them properly. Doctors say even clean and uncracked shells of the eggs can be loaded with harmful bacteria like Salmonella.
Also, contaminated hands, utensils, or surfaces can spread bacteria to eggs and egg-containing dishes. Apart from that, leaving eggs at room temperature for extended periods can allow bacteria to multiply.
Onions
Doctors suggest avoiding eating raw onions can help you get over symptoms of salmonella infection—which can cause diarrhoea, stomachache, and vomiting. Like cucumbers, bacteria in soil or irrigation water can contaminate onions during the growing process, so it is always advised to properly wash them and use only the dry ones.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens become contaminated with harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Experts say it can occur across various stages of the supply chain. Contamination happens from unclean water and dirty runoff that leaches into the soil that fruits and vegetables are grown in.
It can also occur from dirty processing equipment and unhygienic food preparation practices. Leafy greens are especially risky because they are often consumed raw.
