Some of the healthiest foods we eat are the riskiest to eat according to a recent article in AARPBulletinToday. The article states that, "Researchers at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) announced their own grocery list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The most hazardous, in order: leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries."
What, if any, responsibility to do RVers and other consumers have to handle and prepare food properly v. relying on more regulations by the FDA?
Packaged leafy greens are the number one culprit. The greens come from many sources so contamination from one source can contaminate a batch. Washing produce well before eating would avoid most problems. Commercial products or ionizers are available to purify leafy greens too.
Salmonella from undercooked or raw eggs is still a problem. The FDA has made new rules that eggs must be tested and also refrigerated during the whole transportation process. It used to be eggs could sit in locations for long periods of time without refrigeration. Consumers should be wary about eating homemade ice cream and mayonnaise; undercooked eggs are usually the cause of salmonella in these products.
Scromboid poisoning, from the hard-to-destroy scromboid toxin, made tuna the third riskiest food in the CSPI study. This is most often found in fresh tuna in restaurants - like seared tuna or sushi - but the toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking, freezing or other processing. The key to preventing the scromboid toxin is refrigeration. The toxin develops if certain fish begin to decompose. Often there is no fishy smell to indicate that decomposition has started. Fish products should only be bought from known, reputable retail outlets.
While RV consumers traveling would have a more difficult time determining whether tuna was processed carefully, we should have no trouble washing leafy greens or making sure our eggs are well-cooked.
So what do you think? Do we need more regulation? Or should consumers also be responsible for proper handling and preparation once they purchase food? Do we have a more difficult time in the RV lifestyle than other consumers? Weigh in by leaving a comment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
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