What’s really lurking in the food you eat? These days, lots of things.
A newly released study from the University of Florida found that the 5 most common food microorganisms kill more than 1,300 people each year and cost more than $14 million in health care dollars.
Let’s stop these bad boys from making us sick (and costing us a fortune) — read up on the top 5 and what you can do to stop them.
1. Campylobacter
Stats: Camplobacter costs $1.3 billion and causes 76 deaths, 850,000 illnesses and 8,500 hospitalizations each year.
Common foods: Poultry
2. Toxoplasma
Facts: This nuisance costs $3 billion, results in 4,500 hospitalizations, and results in more than 300 deaths yearly. Toxoplasma poses a serious risk for stillbirth or infants who are physically or mentally disabled, which makes it extremely dangerous to pregnant women and developing fetuses.
Common foods: Pork and beef
Prevention: After handling raw meat, properly wash your hands. Cook the meat to the right temperatures. This bug is also found in cat litter boxes.
3. Listeria
Stats: This bad boy costs more than $2.5 billion and causes 255 deaths each year. Like toxoplasma, can be harmful to developing fetuses and pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.
Common foods: Deli meats and soft cheeses like brie
4. Salmonella
Stats: This bug is responsible for causing more than 1 million illnesses, 19,000 hospitalizations and 378 deaths each year.
Eggs, fruit, and poultry are common foods.
5. Norovirus
Statistics: It costs more than $600 million each year and results in more than 3 million illnesses, 6,696 hospitalizations, and 68 deaths.
Common foods: Store-bought or homemade prepared foods like salads, sandwiches.
