10 ‘really risky foods' you might have in the fridge right now
(WJW) – Everyday grocery items make up Consumer Reports' list of '10 Really Risky Foods Right Now.' Many of the items might be in your refrigerator right now.
The list is based on the number of illnesses and deaths linked to a food item in 2024, how widespread the outbreaks were, the number of recalls and the amount of food recalled, according to Consumer Reports.
Recent recalls effecting Ohio
Each year, Consumer Reports makes this top 10 list by using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
There was a 41% jump in food recalls due to possible contamination with salmonella, E. coli and listeria in 2024, compared to 2023, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund.
Below are the top 10 'Really Risky Foods Right Now,' according to Consumer Reports:
1. Deli meat: Listeria found in liverwurst at a Boar's Head plant led to the largest outbreak of foodborne illness in 2024. Seven million pounds of cold cuts were recalled by the company, which also announced it would no longer make liverwurst.
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A separate recall of dried cured meat from Busseto Foods Charcuterie was linked to salmonella infections in 33 states.
Listeria, salmonella illnesses: 165
Hospitalizations: 87
Deaths: 10
2. Cucumbers: Whole and sliced cucumbers sold in grocery stores nationwide were involved in outbreaks in 2024. More cucumber recalls have been issued in 2025 as well. Click here for more details about the most recent cucumber recall.
Salmonella illnesses: 664
Hospitalizations: 173
Deaths: Zero
3. Raw milk and cheese: In 2024, unpasteurized milk products from Raw Farms were linked to two separate outbreaks. Those outbreaks included salmonella in milk and cream and E. coli in raw cheddar cheese.
E. coli (cheese) and salmonella illnesses: 182
Hospitalizations: 29
Deaths: Zero
4. Cotija and queso fresco cheese: In 2024, the source of a nearly decade-long listeria outbreak was revealed during a routine test at Rizo-López Foods. The company's cotija and queso fresco were recalled, along with other dairy products produced at the same facility.
Listeria illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 23
Deaths: 2
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5. Eggs: Milo's Poultry Farms recalled millions of eggs in 2024 due to a salmonella outbreak. Another large recall involved organic eggs produced by Handsome Brook Farms that were shipped to Costco stores nationwide.
Salmonella illnesses: 93
Hospitalizations: 34
Deaths: Zero
6. Onions: In 2024, it was determined that nearly all of the people sickened in an E. coli outbreak had eaten McDonald's Quarter Pounders containing fresh onions supplied by Taylor Farms, which were then recalled.
E. coli illnesses: 104
Hospitalizations: 34
Deaths: 1
7. Leafy greens: A fresh spinach and a romaine-iceberg lettuce mix that was shipped to restaurants, schools and caterers was recalled after it caused two E. coli outbreaks.
E. coli illnesses: 117
Hospitalizations: 36
Deaths: 1
8. Organic carrots: Grimmway Farms recalled its organic bagged whole and baby carrots sold under more than a dozen brand names after they were connected to E. coli illnesses in 19 states.
E. coli illnesses: 48
Hospitalizations: 20
Deaths: 1
9. Organic basil: Several brands of packaged organic basil produced by Infinite Herbs were connected to a salmonella outbreak in 14 states in the 2024 recall.
Salmonella illnesses: 36
Hospitalizations: 4
Deaths: Zero
10. Cooked poultry and meat: According to Consumer Reports, poultry and meat can present a risk of foodborne illness even if it was already cooked when you bought it.
Listeria Illnesses: 0
Hospitalizations: 0
Deaths: 0
Click here for more details on how to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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