Vegetables and fruits cause more US food illnesses

November 22, 2005

Tue Nov 22, 1:23 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Contaminated fruits and vegetables are causing

more food-borne illness among Americans than raw chicken or eggs,

consumer advocates said a in report released on Monday.

Common sources of food illnesses include various bacteria such as

salmonella and E.coli that can infect humans and animals then make

their way into manure used to fertilize plants. The practice of using

manure fertilizer is more common in Latin America, which has become a

growing source of fresh produce for the United States.

" Although poultry has historically been responsible for far more

Salmonella infections, in the most recent years ... produce seems to

be catching up, " the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)

said, calling for tougher federal food safety standards.

In fact, vegetables and fruits triggered 31 outbreaks from 2002 to

2003, compared with 29 for chicken and other poultry, according to the

report.

Overall, contaminated tomatoes, sprouts and other produce made 28,315

people sick during 554 outbreaks from 1990 to 2003 -- 20 percent of

all cases CSPI analyzed.

Chicken made 14,729 people sick in 476 outbreaks, and eggs were

responsible for 10,847 illnesses from 329 outbreaks, according to the

group.

" Pathogens can adhere to the rough surfaces of fruits and vegetables,

so consumers should take precautions, such as washing produce under

running water, " the report said, adding people should " still eat

plenty of produce. "

Food-related infections cause a range of problems from discomfort to

severe dehydration and death, but most problematic organisms can be

killed when food is cooked long enough at high enough temperatures.

Not all people exposed to an outbreak get sick, but those who do can

experience vomiting, diarrhea and fever, among other problems for

about a week. Some experience no symptoms but can infect others.

The report found seafood was the largest cause of outbreaks but led to

fewer illnesses than other foods. There have been 899 such outbreaks

between 1990 and 2003, leading to 9,312 illnesses.

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