CDC: Produce Biggest Culprit in Foodborne Illnesses

[Sherman A1]

ATLANTA — Illnesses linked to produce account for the highest number of foodborne illnesses and hospitalizations, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By examining outbreaks from 1998-2008, the CDC found 46% of foodborne illnesses and 38% of hospitalizations could be traced back to produce commodities, which include fruits and nuts, leafy greens, fungi, root vegetables, sprouts and vine and stalk vegetables.

Among all commodities, leafy greens caused the highest percentage of illnesses (23%) and second-highest percentage of hospitalizations (14%), although only 6% of deaths.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/food-safety/cdc-produce-biggest-culprit-foodborne-illnesses#ixzz2JUr4yye3

[appleannie1]

1. Many people do not wash them and never wash the salad mixes that come "pre-washed" in a plastic bag.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Washing vegetables doesn't remove E. Coli bacteria which is increasingly being found on lettuce...

and other leafy vegetables. Only mentioning this because too many people don't know this.

[mainer]

2. Many veggies are eaten raw, that's why.

Meat is almost always cooked.