RISKY FOODS
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released a list of the top 10 riskiest foods according to food bourne illness outbreaks reported between 1990 and 2006.
1. Leafy Greens: 363 outbreaks
2. Eggs: 352 outbreaks
3. Tuna: 268 outbreaks
4. Oysters: 132 outbreaks
5. Potatoes: 108 outbreaks
6. Cheese: 83 outbreaks
7. Ice Cream: 74 outbreaks
8. Tomatoes: 31 outbreaks
9. Sprouts: 31 outbreaks
10. Berries: 25 outbreaks
Ironically, leafy greens is the source of many vitamins and minerals that the body needs but ranked the highest in outbreaks. food regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
"The FDA is responsible for regulating produce, seafood, egg and dairy products, as well as typical packaged foods such as cookie dough and peanut butter—nearly 80 percent of the food supply. More than 1,500 separate, definable outbreaks were associated with the top 10 riskiest FDA-regulated foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses. Since most foodborne illnesses are never reported, these outbreaks are only the tip of a large, hulking iceberg.
"Outbreaks give the best evidence of where and when the food safety system is failing to protect the public," said CSPI staff attorney Sarah Klein, the lead author of the report. "It is clearly time for FDA's reliance on industry self-regulation to come to an end. The absence of safety plans or frequent inspections unfortunately means that some of our favorite and most healthful foods also top the list of the most risky."
CSPI identified 363 outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce, romaine, spinach, and other leafy greens, variously contaminated with E. coli, Norovirus, or Salmonella, and causing 13,568 cases of illness. Manure, contaminated irrigation water, or poor handling practices are all possible culprits in those outbreaks. The FDA does not currently require farms and processors to have written food safety plans, nor does it provide specific safety standards for even the largest growers to meet"
[source: Center for Science in the Public Interest]
