It's official. The most common germ to cause food poisoning in the United States is no longer Salmonella. Campylobacter, a bug often found in unpasteurized dairy products and contaminated chicken, is now the No. 1 culprit, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last Thursday.
Campylobacter, which can also be founded in contaminated water and produce, beat out Salmonella, which was the No. 1 cause for the last 20 years. Other top causes included listeria, shigella and E. coli. While the CDC's report only counts cases in 10 states, it is considered to be a good indicator of food poisoning trends across the country.
Before you freak out, rest assured that food poisoning isn't getting any worse in the United Statesa—but it's not exactly getting any better. While 24,000 illnesses and 98 deaths were reported in the 10 states last year, only about one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning each year, a rate that's stayed the same for the last three years, according to the CDC.
The good news is that Salmonella-related illnesses are on the decline thanks to tighter regulations and the vaccinations of chickens. Though, make sure to keep cooking your food thoroughly at home — and don't forget to wash your spinach and lettuce properly. According to the government report, leafy greens were the No. 1 source of food poisoning and accounted for nearly half of all illnesses.
(h/t Food & Wine)
