Unsafe and Dangerous Foods

The healthiness of food has not been such a large issue in the United States since the macrobiotic years of the 1970s. More and more people are starting to be particularly concerned about the healthiness of the food they eat, so it's no surprise that the potential dangers of unsafe are a bigger concern than they have been in 30 years. Recently, there's been a spate of high-profile articles and documentaries about the safety of the food we eat, and it has stoked public interest in dietary health.

With that in mind, it's important to realize the potential dangers of unsafe food. In the United States, known food pathogens cause approximately 14 million illnesses every year. Some estimates of overall food-related illnesses run as high as 76 million, with 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. It can be shocking to think that these numbers are this high in a country as developed as the United States, but it goes to show the potential dangers of unclean or improperly cooked food. It may be important to be familiar with some of the most commonly encountered food pathogens, such as:

• 繚 Salmonella. Often associated with unclean cooking conditions or standing water, salmonella is an enterobacteria. Salmonella can cause typhoid fever and other serious ailments. About 140,000 Americans are infected every year, with about 30 deaths.



• 繚 E. Coli. Escherichia coli is a pathogenic bacterium associated with contamination by fecal matter. It can cause serious gastrointestinal infection, and, if untreated, can be fatal.



• 繚 Campylobacter. One of the leading causes of food poisoning - but one of the least well known - campylobacter can cause bloody diarrhea, fever, cramps, and intense pain.



• 繚 Listeria. Although usually caught and destroyed by your natural antibodies, if contracted, listeria can cause infection and swelling. Even more worrisome, it has been linked to meningitis, which can potentially be fatal.



• 繚 Botulism. Perhaps the most dangerous food-borne pathogen, the effects of botulism can be extreme. Often associated with canned food can cause paralysis and even death. About 60% of botulism cases are fatal if left untreated.

If you or someone you love has been injured as the result of tainted food, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for your injury. It can help to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney. To learn more, visit the website of the Phoenix personal injury attorneys of Haralson, Miller, Pitt, Feldman & McAnally, P.L.C., today.