Foodborne Illness: Risks, Myths and Prevention

On this episode of the MSD Manuals Medical Myths podcast, infectious disease expert Dr. Larry Bush—Affiliate Professor of Medicine at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University and Affiliate Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine—joins the show to explore foodborne illnesses, their causes, and strategies for prevention.  Dr. Bush clarifies the distinctions between foodborne illnesses and common misconceptions, such as "stomach bugs." He highlights the primary sources of contamination, including meats, poultry, seafood, and raw vegetables, and addresses specific risks like Listeria, which poses significant threats to pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems. Dr. Bush also debunks food safety myths, from the limitations of the "sniff test" to the dangers of consuming undercooked or raw foods.