New year, new foods? Hold on a minute.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re going all in on healthy eating with a new diet<\/a> or sticking to what you know and love, we often don\u2019t think about food safety.<\/p>\n But two foods in particular could mean risky business for your health, according to one food scientist.<\/p>\n Food scientist and content creator Roxanne Smith warns two foods in particular carry a higher risk of illness. hydroxide.1\/TikTok, hydroxide.1<\/p>\n While food poisoning can have many sources, certain foods<\/a> can make mealtime seem like playing a game of intestinal roulette.<\/p>\n But Roxanne Smith, a food scientist and content creator, shared on TikTok<\/a> her two no-go\u2019s: raw sprouts and rare burgers.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking of sprucing up a sandwich or salad with some bean sprouts, you may want to reconsider.<\/p>\n The germinated seeds do pack a nutritional punch, full of nutrients<\/a> like vitamins A, C and K as well as folic acid, B vitamins and antioxidants.<\/p>\n But the benefits may not outweigh the risks, as any type of sprouts \u2014 mung bean, alfalfa, broccoli or mustard greens \u2014 carry the potential of foodborne bacteria.<\/p>\n Raw sprouts, while packed with nutrients, can also carry the risk of foodborne bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. Brent Hofacker \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n These bacteria, such as Salmonella and E. coli, thrive in warm, moist environments<\/a>, which Smith likens to your besties on spring break.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re thirsty,\u201d she said. \u201cSprouts are grown in the ground in the warmest, most moist, humid, wet environment you can imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n And if the veggies aren\u2019t washed or cooked properly, they can cause illness with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting and fever, to name a few.<\/p>\n Foodborne bacteria can be found in a variety of foods, and cause serious illness like food poisoning. Brent Hofacker \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Sprouts aren\u2019t the only culprit of potential poisoning, though.<\/p>\n Dark, leafy greens might seem synonymous with health, but they can also be breeding grounds for bacteria.<\/p>\n Other vegetables<\/a>, like tomatoes, onions and even the trendy veggie of 2026<\/a>, can be pathways for health risks.<\/p>\n But vegetables aren\u2019t the only ones with lingering dangers.<\/p>\n Be careful of how you cook your burgers, as Smith says she avoids ones more on the raw, rare side.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t just because of the cooking method, but rather how the meat is prepared before being thrown on the grill.<\/p>\n