Having foodborne illness can be a very unpleasant and exhausting experience. Although it doesn’t usually last too long, it’s best if you prevent it completely.
Here are 5 foods that may cause foodborne illness.
Foodborne illnesses are often caused by infections of the gastrointestinal tract. A wide range of foods and beverages can cause the infection. Fortunately, these illnesses are acute, which means that they last for a short period of time. Most people recover completely, even without additional treatment.
Here are some common foods that cause foodborne illnesses:
1. Raw Meat or Poultry
This may be one of the greatest sources of bacteria that lead to foodborne illnesses. If you don’t process meat properly, you are putting yourself at risk of contracting a number of different infections. Always cook your meat to a safe internal temperature. You can cut your meat into smaller pieces to make sure everything is evenly and thoroughly cooked.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
Although fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins, they can also contain bacteria. The common ones include Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella. It is hard to say when exactly fruits and vegetables get contaminated, which makes prevention more difficult.
3. Eggs
You’ve probably heard of people getting Salmonella from eggs. Try to avoid eating foods with raw eggs. Cooking them is the way to kill the bacteria.
4. Raw Milk and Dairy Products
You should avoid drinking raw milk as it can get you very sick. Dairy products can be infected with a variety of bacteria. One way to avoid infection is to drink only milk that is pasteurized. This process kills all of the bacteria and other germs.
5. Raw Shellfish
Raw seafood, including shellfish, can be contaminated with bacteria. As with previous ingredients, cooking at a certain temperature is the best way to kill the germs. Kitchens that rely on raw fish are particularly risky.
The Bottom Line
These 5 foods that may cause foodborne illnesses are the most common but not the only foods to watch out for. Luckily, you can prevent most of these infections if you take proper measures.
