Posted on 05/05/2006 5:50:56 PM PDT by nuconvert
The Most Dangerous Foods
May 2,2006
By Selena Maranjian
We all should know that a package of raw chicken forgotten overnight on a kitchen counter will become a dangerous food. We also likely know that blowfish is risky, able to kill its ingesters if improperly prepared. But a clean, well-made cup of coffee? Dangerous? As it turns out, it's all about where you drink it. The folks at Insure.com, who focus on the exciting arena of insurance, recently released a list of "The 10 Most Dangerous Foods to Eat." Okay, that title actually included these words at the end: "While Driving." Still, danger is danger.
Their intent was to publicize how dangerous it can be to drive while eating and/or drinking. And we're not talking alcohol here -- coffee was No. 1 on the list, followed by hot soup. Before I share the list with you, here are some sobering statistics:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that distractions in cars caused about 25% of car crashes. The Response Insurance Agency surveyed drivers in 2000, finding that eating while driving was the No. 2 driving distraction (after fiddling with the radio and before turning to chat with passengers). Some 57% of drivers admitted to eating and driving. A 2001 survey of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM - News) drivers found that nearly three-quarters eat while driving, up from 58% in 1995. A whopping 83% drink non-alcoholic beverages while driving. Some research suggests that dealing with spills and messes is even more troublesome than eating or drinking. Either way, dining at the wheel clearly leads to a lot of trouble.
Here is Insure.com's list of the top offenders:
Coffee
Hot soup
Tacos
Chili
Hamburgers
Barbecued food
Fried chicken
Jelly or cream-filled donuts
Soft drinks
Chocolate
This issue is a big deal. It doesn't just cause damage or death -- it costs us all money. More accidents mean that either we or insurance companies are picking up the tab. Insurance companies are aware of the problem and are looking into what they might do about it.
You can learn more about the less-dangerous-but-still-critical topic of insurance in our Insurance Center. You may not have thought about some kinds of insurance, such as disability or long-term care insurance, but they're vital for many people. And, of course, properly insuring your property is vital, too. Take a little time to learn more. You may be very happy you did, especially if some calamity occurs in the future.
"I believe these are simply based on totals"
hmm... don't know. Do that many people have soup while driving?
I can eat snacks like chips and stuff and usually have a diet coke in the cup holder but I can not eat fast food while driving. I get it everywhere. My husband can but he's spoilt. He has me to unwrap and prepare it for him.
Seriously, though, if you need a napkin for it, don't eat it while driving.
It helps if you have copilot
Jack in the Box....memories of food poisoning. UGH. NEVER AGAIN.
As long as it's in a spill proof cup you're good to go.
Or if you're a Kennedy.
For sure :')
Wrong! You can drink it as it melts. It's awesome! (Requires at least at 30 minute trip).
Lol.
Interesting to hear people who have this down to a science.
Does it rhyme with "T", starts with "P" and stands for Pool, right here in River City?
Does it have anything to do with cats?
How about lobster thermidor aux crevettes with a mornay sauce garnished with truffle pate, brandy, and a fried egg on top and SPAM?
You don't even have to wait until it melts. Just take the top off and drink it. No spoon required:')
Watermelon's pretty tough, and I wouldn't try fondue again. Corn on the cob is tricky, and so are mashed potatoes with gravy. Other than that, most things are pretty easy to eat while driving. I generally don't have a problem unless I'm like having a hot fudge sundae and smoking a cigarette when the cell phone rings. Jotting down notes is very tough at that point.
Not enough Spam!
lol
Thank God hot dogs, sausages and cucumbers are OK to safely consume while driving.
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