These are the foods that you should avoid to prevent putting your health at risk, according to experts

While you might expect an article detailing foods deemed unhealthy due to their long-term effects on the body, such as candy, potato chips, and other items that lack nutritional value while being high in calories, sugars, and fats, the focus here takes a different turn.

Instead, here we will be looking at the foods that have been subject to recalls by the US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) over the year and a half. One should not interpret these foods as directly risky, but if you do the grocery shopping in your home, it is important to be aware of which types of products you might want to be more cautious about.

Additionally, although the stated intention is not to highlight foods that have been linked to worse health outcomes, many of those foods appear on the recall list, alongside fresh foods as well.

The severity of the recall depends on whether or not a person has food allergies, with many of these recalls prompted by unlisted ingredients showing up on quality control tests after they have been sent to the market.

Foods that are often recalled due to listeria and salmonella outbreaks

Since January 2024, there have been over 30 recalls for prepackaged salads and sandwiches. Nearly half have been issued over concerns that the food was contaminated by listeria or salmonella, which present a direct threat to all those who consume the products.

Enoki mushrooms

One of the items that appeared frequently on the recall list since 2020 is enoki mushrooms, a type of edible mushroom native to East Asian cuisine. These mushrooms can be identified by their long, thin stems and small caps. Originally cultivated in Japan, enoki mushrooms have become popular globally for their delicate flavor and crunchy texture.

All fifteen recalls of enoki mushrooms have been related to the risk of listeria contamination. However, cooking these mushrooms will likely eliminate the bacteria, even if the package you purchased was contaminated. Nevertheless, exercise caution if the mushrooms come into contact with cooking utensils or other foods that will not be cooked at high temperatures.

Cheese

Since 2024, the FDA has issued 14 recalls involving cheese products, with 9 of these due to possible contamination from listeria or salmonella. Similar to mushrooms, if you plan to cook cheese, it is essential to heat it to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is critical, as it effectively kills most harmful bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella.

What temperatures do foods need to reach to be safe?

For other foods, the safe cooking temperatures vary: ground meats should reach 160 degrees F, while whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and veal should be cooked to at least 145 degrees F and allowed to rest for three minutes before serving. Poultry must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to ensure safety. Keeping these temperatures in mind can help reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

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