Product recalls can be stressful, but unfortunately, they're a fact of life. This is especially true in the food industry, where items can easily pick up potentially harmful bacteria and other contaminants. And while it might not be possible to always avoid such products, you can play it safe by knowing the riskiest foods.
Per Food & Wine, Consumer Reports recently released a report listing the foods most associated with recalls and foodborne illness. They identified the foods by developing a tool that analyzed federal food safety data, according to the organization's statement on its methodology.
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Specifically, for each food, Consumer Reports studied three types of data: the number of recalls and/or outbreaks, the number of illnesses and deaths linked to specific outbreaks, and the amount of food involved in specific recalls and outbreaks.
Using this data, Consumer Reports determined that the following 10 foods have the highest risk of being recalled:
- Leafy greens
- Cheeses and deli meat
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Papayas
- Peaches
- Cantaloupe
- Flour
Some foods, like leafy greens and deli meat, are unsurprising. But other items like onions, papayas, and peaches, are definitely more unexpected.
Now, as with all reports and analyses, there are some caveats to consider. Consumer Reports studied data during a specific time frame — between 2017 to 2022 — but factors that affect food-related risks can change over time.
You can read about Consumer Reports' findings right here.
How to reduce the risk of foodborne illness:
Now, just because certain foods are more likely to be recalled doesn't mean you should totally avoid them. But it is possible to reduce the risk of foodborne sickness when eating said foods.
Here are some tips, per Consumer Reports:
- Buy whole heads of leafy greens instead of chopped
- Choose pre-packaged deli meat and cheese (instead of the deli)
- Place raw meat, like ground beef, in separate bags when grocery shopping
- Avoid pre-cut fruits, if possible
- Skip bruised vegetables and fruits, as the imperfections can let in bacteria
Good to know!