What food safety experts steer clear of to avoid E. coli

An E. coli outbreak is believed to be linked to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Food safety experts explain why some types of produce have a higher risk of contamination.

An E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 75, killing one, is a reminder of the contamination risk that can plague certain types of fresh produce, according to food safety experts.

The four professors said they routinely avoid particular raw fruits and vegetables themselves, such as sprouts, bagged salad greens and cantaloupe.

Though the investigation is ongoing, federal officials suspect prewashed, slivered onions that were served raw on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders are the likely source of the E. coli outbreak. For those who specialize in foodborne illness prevention, the news was not a surprise.

Don Schaffner, a professor of food science at Rutgers University, said that the more food is handled and processed on its journey from the farm to a restaurant or grocery store, the more opportunities there are to introduce or spread bacteria. That includes slicing, prewashing or adding ingredients.

“The more manipulation you do, certainly the more places there are for things to go wrong,” Schaffner said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/avoid-e-coli-food-safety-expert-tips-rcna177311

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