Posted on 07/26/2026 8:14:01 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Ask someone who investigates foodborne illness for a living what they won't put on their plate, and the list is shorter—and stranger—than you'd expect.
It's not that these experts live in fear. Most will tell you that all food carries some risk, and the real skill is deciding which risks are worth taking. Frank Yiannas, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s former deputy commissioner for food policy and response, says he doesn't think of foods as simply "good" or "bad." Instead, "I approach everything with what I would say is a quantitative risk assessment," he says. "I'm calculated."
Still, after decades of investigating outbreaks—and, in some cases, having their own lives forever changed by foodborne illness—these experts have each decided a handful of foods simply aren't worth the gamble. Some of their no-go items are predictable; others might be sitting in your fridge right now. Here’s what came up again and again.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
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Cantaloupe
Raw oysters and shellfish
Sushi rolls
Undercooked pork
Sprouts
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables
Raw eggs
Undercooked hamburgers
Potlucks and picnic foods
been stuffing our faces with cantaloupe all summer- can’t get enough
Used to drink raw eggs with raw milk to try to bulk up back in the day- wouldn’t attempt it today though-
also- worked in an omni dunfy corp sheraton and i served raw oysters, clams on the half shell- Ate a ton of them myself- Never had raw fish though- I’m not too healthy today- struck with somethign in my 30’s, mighta been from eating raw foods- We used to eat hamburger as it was cooking and still raw with just a slight browning- and always had my hamburgers rare- so who knows- mighta picked something up-
Personal thoughts. YMMG;
Raw oysters and shellfish... only Oct-Mar from cold water and establishments near the Atlantic coast. Fr3sh Gulf of America shrimp fine
Sushi rolls... only from gas stations and truck stops /s
Undercooked pork...medium rare yay!
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables... only if frozen
Raw eggs... two in the blended protein shakes w/whole milk 2x/day.
Undercooked hamburgers...Med rare please from home or reputable places only.
Potlucks and picnic foods...eat early, avoid the mayo based bowls and the drunkle (unless I’m loaded too, then it’s a hoot!)
Calves have a long history of eating raw milk.
I remember family picnics, a lifetime ago.
Fried chicken brought in a wicker basket.
Deviled eggs on a platter.
Potato salad with mayo and sliced eggs
We’d run around the park, climbing trees and monkey bars,
zooming the merry-go-round, jumping off the swings.
Then, come over to the table and go for the food.
Everybody survived just fine, thank you.
What’s wrong with cantaloupe?
And good sushi every once in a while should be fine.
Potlucks?
Strange list with only about half of which I would agree with.
Raw milk used to be the norm. But all the natural dairies are pretty much gone now.
Salad bars not on list.
Well, they don’t anymore. Much of the stuff is tainted before it gets to the grocery store.
Sushi is delicious.
Potluck = someone else’s leftovers
There are always political agendas tied to these “lists” from “experts.” You know. Like the geniuses who said that seed oils were better then lard and butter.
You can sous vide pork tenderloin at 135f for 3 hours and it’s medium rare and pasteurized. Then just hive it a quick browning in the pan.
Only humans consume milk after they have been weaned. Wonder what that means.
Three items fall into what is not considered as food in Leviticus (not all Sushi; but I don’t like raw fish).
Sprouts - surprising; we grow our own but I guess that doesn’t mean the same problem exists
I kind of like cantaloupe.
None of the raw fish or shell stuff - I want it cooked.
never had raw milk that I know of
I love a good pork chop with just a hint of pink in it, but definitely medium. It doesn’t take but 2 minutes to go from juicy to overcooked on a grill with pork.
I tend to do pre-cut vegetables because it’s very convenient. Fruits, give me the whole fruit and I’ll decide how to slice it.
No raw eggs. Like them over medium, runny yolk but the white needs to be cooked. Need that yolk to dip the bacon in
Burgers need to be done. But not well done. Like pork chops, a fine line between enough and too much. If there’s a slight hint of pink, I’m Ok with that. But undercooked ground beef is just not appealing to me.
Potluck and picnic foods - I’ll eat that. As mentioned by others, the family reunions brought out some really good home-cooked foods. 3 or 4 different kinds of baked beans, potato salad, lots of fried chicken, and some burgers and hot dogs on the grill at the park.
Getting hungry now.
These people are crazy.
“Sushi rolls... only from gas stations and truck stops /s”
LOL! That was going to be my response, too! And don’t forget to pick her up some Gas Station Roses!
Girls LOVE receiving Gas Station Roses. It shows you really care./s
It’s not sushi that is risky per se, it’s sashimi.
Salad Bars.
Yeah, I don’t like eating from a Public Trough - with or without a ‘Sneeze Guard.’ *SHUDDER*
I judge diners by whether they will serve me a rare hamburger. If they will, they have confidence in the meat. It also tastes better rare.
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