10 Dirtiest Foods You Should Be Aware Of
We eat every day, and you pay attention to nutrition, but do you know if what you're eating is safe and healthy? So, how can we eat healthily?
Scallions
Dirt: Studies have found that scallions contain parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Shigella, and Salmonella.
Supermarket tip: Buy frozen scallions, as indoor environments can easily breed bacteria.
Home tip: Wash the dirt by turning the faucet on to its maximum pressure while peeling the outer layers of the scallions.
Cold Cuts
Dirt: Studies have found that cold cuts can easily cause Listeria, as Listeria thrives better in cold environments.
Supermarket tip: Avoid choosing cold cuts from the deli counter.
Home tip: Apply mustard to sandwiches, as it can kill 90% of Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella within two hours.
Chicken
Dirt: A study of 484 broiler chickens found that 42% were infected with Campylobacter and 12% with Salmonella. The latest survey found that Americans eat 70 pounds (35 kg) of chicken per person annually, more than beef, pork, and chicken combined.
Supermarket tip: Choose chickens raised in free-range farms. These chickens have larger living spaces and are slaughtered in smaller batches, making them safer.
Home tip: To avoid food poisoning, soak raw chicken in clean water before placing it directly on a roasting dish. This shortcut can prevent infections from chicken and other foods. Remember to clean your knife and cutting board when handling meat.
Ground Beef
Dirt: A survey of meat in hamburgers found that it contains 53% Clostridium perfringens, 30% Staphylococcus, and 12% Listeria.
Supermarket tip: Choose irradiated ground beef at the supermarket, which is usually marked with an irradiation label on the packaging.
Home tip: Adding fresh oregano oil to beef can prevent the growth of E. coli.
Ground Turkey
Dirt: This is potentially the dirtiest poultry meat. Studies have found that one-quarter of ground turkey contains Listeria, Campylobacter, Clostridium, or a combination of the three.
Supermarket tip: Choose organic turkey. At checkout, use a dedicated plastic bag for the turkey to prevent cross-contamination.
Home tip: Change your mindset about poultry. Imagine it is contaminated. Use high heat to sanitize and wash dishes that have held raw turkey. Use paper towels to wipe, not sponges.
Oysters
Dirt: Oysters contain Norovirus (a pathogen found in seawater), Campylobacter, and Vibrio, which can lead to diarrhea.
Supermarket tip: Purchase oysters that have been handled by a famous chef.
Home tip: It's simple: just eat cooked oysters. If you must eat them raw, be sure to read the purchase and handling instructions carefully.
Eggs
Dirt: Although pasteurization has reduced the amount of Salmonella in eggs, they can still contain bacteria. Choose fully cooked eggs over runny fried eggs.
Supermarket tip: Check the egg carton for wording indicating they have been pasteurized, and also check the expiration date. Inspect each egg for cracks, as bacteria can easily enter through them.
Home tip: Store eggs in their carton in the coolest part of the refrigerator. Remember to wash your hands after handling eggs.
Cantaloupe
Dirt: Studies have found that 3.5% of cantaloupes contain Salmonella and Shigella (which can be transmitted from person to person). Since cantaloupe is usually eaten raw, the bacteria go directly into your intestines.
Supermarket tip: Buy a whole cantaloupe, as a pre-cut one can easily allow bacteria to enter.
Home tip: Before eating, wash the cantaloupe under running water with a vegetable wash for 15 to 30 seconds. Make sure the brush you use is only for washing fruits and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
Peaches
Dirt: To make peaches' surfaces look smooth and clean, farmers spray them with pesticides several weeks before harvest. It is reported that by the time peaches reach consumers, their surfaces are covered with 9 layers of pesticides.
Supermarket tip: Place peaches and other fruits in bags labeled with an organic seal.
Home tip: Many fruits have a wax layer to preserve the pesticides, so use a sponge or brush to wash off this wax layer.
Pre-packaged Lettuce
Dirt: Studies have found that 11% of food poisoning cases are caused by pre-packaged lettuce.
Supermarket tip: Lettuce wrapped in plastic film is not free from pathogens; you can choose loose vegetables instead.
Home tip: Before eating, rinse each leaf of the lettuce under running water.