Food Safety: Top 10 Riskiest Foods

The Center for Science in the Public Interest released a new report today on the "Top Ten Riskiest Foods Regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration". The report details ten common foods that account for 40 percent of all food-based illness outbreaks. So, what makes a food risky in the eyes of the CSPI?

More than 1,500 separate outbreaks were associated with the top ten riskiest foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses. Reported illnesses range from stomach aches to major issues such as kidney failure and death, and included fun stuff like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeriosis and Norovirus. The Top Ten Riskiest Foods:

1. Leafy Greens
2. Eggs
3. Tuna
4. Oysters
5. Potatoes
6. Cheese
7. Ice Cream
8. Tomatoes
9. Sprouts
10. Berries

The CSPI report details exactly what's so risky about each food and steps you can take to protect yourself. But, CSPI stresses that consumer awareness may not be enough to fully remedy the problem of food contamination. The non-profit watchdog organization is urging the Senate to pass the Food Safety Modernization Act, which would reform food safety laws.

"Outbreaks give the best evidence of where and when the food safety system is failing to protect the public," said CSPI staff attorney Sarah Klein, the lead author of the report. "It is clearly time for FDA's reliance on industry self-regulation to come to an end. The absence of safety plans or frequent inspections unfortunately means that some of our favorite and most healthful foods also top the list of the most risky."

Clearly there are some deep concerns about food safety and food contamination these days, and there is a big push to create laws that will protect consumers from ever coming into contact with contaminated food. But, what if you've already fallen victim to contaminated food? Can the law help you after the fact?

The answer: maybe. Product liability and negligence legal theories are both used to recover for food poisoning injuries. If you or your family have suffered from a food poisoning illness, consult with a Personal Injury or Products Liability attorney to learn more about how the law may help you recover for your losses.

• Riskiest Foods: 3 Tips for Protecting Your Family From Illness (U.S. News & World Reports)
• Leafy Greens, Eggs, & Tuna Top List of Riskiest FDA-Regulated Foods (Center for Science in the Public Interest)
• Food Poisoning and the Law (FindLaw)
• Injuries from Defective Products (provided by Ingram Law Office)
• Product Liability FAQ (provided by The Stewart Law Firm PLLC)