The Foods Where Salmonella Can Be Found Lurking - Tasting Table

"Yet this isn't going to be enough to completely protect you from salmonella. It's true that raw poultry and unpasteurized eggs are the most common causes of salmonella infections, but the bacteria in question can be found in almost any uncooked food. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tract of animals - which is why meat, eggs and milk are the usual culprits for food poisoning - but they're spread via feces."

"What makes the bacteria so prevalent is that they can survive for weeks or even months in soil and water. This is the reason why some of the worst salmonella outbreaks come from fruits and vegetables. Produce grown in infected soil, fertilized with manure, or irrigated with water that contains the bacteria will be potential sources of salmonellosis. In the case of sprouts such as alfalfa, it's believed that the seeds themselves can be infected."

Salmonella commonly originates from raw poultry and unpasteurized eggs but can contaminate almost any uncooked food. The bacteria inhabit animal intestines and spread via fecal contamination. Salmonella can survive for weeks or months in soil and water, making fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil, fertilized with manure, or irrigated with infected water potential outbreak sources. Sprout seeds such as alfalfa may be infected intrinsically, posing risk even with clean growing conditions. Cross-contamination in the kitchen can transfer bacteria from raw meat to other foods or surfaces. Cooking meat to safe internal temperatures, refrigerating eggs, and using pasteurized eggs reduce household risk.

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