Food poisoning attorney won't eat certain food

Expert names 6 foods he won't eat

Oysters

Bill Marler is a food poisoning attorney who has won over $600 million for his clients in cases related to foodborne illness.

Marler published an article in the Food Poisoning Journal on Jan. 23, listing six foods he never eats.

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1. Unpasteurized milk and packaged juices

Also known as raw milk, unpasteurized milk can often be contaminated with bacteria and parasites. There was an Odwalla apple juice case in 1996 stemming from an E. coli outbreak. Unpasteurized Odwalla apple juice was one of Marlers earliest cases.

2. Raw sprouts

Salmonella from bean sprouts put 19 people in the hospital in 2014 according to Foodpoisonjournal.com. Marler said “There have been too many outbreaks not to pay attention to the risk of sprout contamination.” 

3. Meat that isn’t well done

Marler notes that ground meat is especially dangerous because bacteria on the surface can get inside. If it’s not cooked all the way through there is danger of food poisoning by E. coli and salmonella.

4. Prewashed vegetables

Marler buys unwashed produce in small amounts and eats it soon after he buys it to cut down the risk of listeria. He notes that the more food is handled and processed, the higher the risk of contamination.

5. Raw eggs

Raw eggs have long been linked to salmonella. Marler said he thinks the risk of egg contamination is lower today than in the past but he still eats his eggs well-cooked.

6. Raw shellfish

Oysters are filter feeders and pick up everything that’s in the water said Marler.  This means bacteria gets into oysters and other shellfish very easily. Marler also notes waters have been getting warmer, which leads to more microbial growth.

Some foods aren’t worth the risk to Marler. One food he said you don’t have to avoid? Sushi.

“If you’re going to eat sushi, spend the money and eat at a good sushi restaurant,” said Marler.

For more information on avoiding and treating food poisoning, visit bottomlinehealth.com.

Salmonella Cases in 2015 | HealthGrove