Health
5 of the top sources of foodborne illness and how to prevent it
The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak — which has now sickened more than 100 people, per reports — has spotlighted the risk of foodborne illnesses.
The E. coli infections were linked to contaminated onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), which continues to investigate the outbreak.
Many other foods could potentially transmit dangerous bacteria if stored or prepared in an unsafe manner, experts say, with an estimated 48 million people (one in six) affected each year, per the CDC.
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Fox News Digital spoke with food safety experts about some of the most prevalent foodborne illnesses and how to prevent them.
1. E. coli
E. coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacterium found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC.
E. coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacterium found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals. (iStock)
The bacterium can spread via contaminated food or water or contact with animals, environments or other people, the same source stated.
Eating meat that has not been cooked sufficiently to kill E. coli can cause infection, according to Mitzi D. Baum, CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness in Chicago.
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“Among other known sources of infection is consumption of sprouts, lettuce, salami, unpasteurized milk (and milk products) and unpasteurized juice, and swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Bacteria in the diarrheal stools of infected persons can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or handwashing habits are inadequate,” Baum added.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of E. coli illness include — but are not limited to — severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, respiratory illness, urinary tract infections, fever and pneumonia, according to the CDC.
E. coli can become “dangerous or deadly” in very young people, older adults and those with compromised immune systems, who may develop a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), according to Baum.
Symptoms of E. coli illness may include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, respiratory illness, urinary tract infections, fever and pneumonia. (iStock)
Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, irritability, decreased urination, swelling, and small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, the expert added.
“Non-specific supportive therapy, including hydration, is important,” Baum said.
E. coli can become “dangerous or deadly” in very young people, older adults and those with compromised immune systems.
“There is no evidence that treatment with antibiotics is helpful, and taking antibiotics may increase the risk of HUS.”
Treatment often consists of supportive care, Baum said, with close monitoring of kidney (renal) functioning, hemoglobin and platelet counts.
2. Listeria
Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the country, according to the CDC.
The bacterium is known to spread easily in delis and in environments where food is prepared.
The Listeria bacterium is known to spread easily in delis and in environments where food is prepared. (iStock)
“The bacterium has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, as well as in foods that become contaminated after cooking or processing, such as soft cheeses, smoked seafood, and processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meat,” Baum said.
“Unpasteurized (raw) milk and cheeses and other foods made from unpasteurized milk are particularly likely to contain the bacterium.”
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Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, Baum noted, but some ready-to-eat foods may become contaminated before packaging.
“Unlike most bacteria, Listeria can grow and multiply in some foods in the refrigerator,” she warned.
Symptoms and treatment
The most common symptoms of listeria infection include fever, fatigue and muscle aches, per the CDC.
“Someone with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches, which are sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms,” Baum said.
“Almost everyone diagnosed with listeriosis has an ‘invasive’ infection where the bacterium spreads beyond the GI tract.”
Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the country, according to the CDC. (BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)
Some people also experience stiff neck, headaches, balance problems, seizures or disorientation.
Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
“A person in a high-risk category who experiences fever and other non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue and aches, within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care,” Baum advised.
3. Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines, per the CDC.
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“Norovirus, also known as Norwalk-like virus, is a leading cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S.,” Dr. Amber Charoen, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Kennewick, Washington, told Fox News Digital.
“It can spread with as few as 10 particles through contaminated food, vomit, stool and even person-to-person contact.”
Symptoms and treatment
While it is often referred to as a “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” norovirus is not related to influenza.
“Symptoms of norovirus vary, but those infected tend to have a mix of low-grade fever, chills, vomiting, headache, muscle aches and fatigue,” Baum said.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines, per the CDC. (iStock)
“In addition, norovirus outbreaks typically produce nausea (more often in children), watery diarrhea (more often in adults) and stomach cramps.”
There is no specific medicine to treat norovirus, according to Baum.
“If you have norovirus illness, drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost from throwing up and diarrhea,” she advised.
4. Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterium that is often linked to poultry, eggs, dairy and other foods like fresh produce, meats and nuts, according to Charoen.
Infections can be caused by consuming contaminated chicken, pork, fruits, seeded vegetables, other produce, beef and turkey, the CDC states on its website. Germs can spread to other foods through cross-contamination.
Salmonella is a bacterium that is often linked to poultry, eggs, dairy and other foods like fresh produce, meats and nuts. (iStock)
Symptoms and treatment
Most people who are infected experience diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever, according to the CDC. Headaches, vomiting and nausea can also occur.
Most patients notice symptoms within six hours to six days after getting infected, and they usually last for four to seven days.
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“Most people recover without specific treatment,” Baum said. “Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people with severe illness.”
Patients should drink extra fluids as long as diarrhea is occurring, she advised.
5. Campylobacter
Campylobacteriosis is a bacterium most often associated with eating raw or undercooked poultry or from cross-contamination of other foods by these items, according to Baum.
Campylobacteriosis is a bacterium most often associated with eating raw or undercooked poultry or from cross-contamination of other foods. (iStock)
“Many chicken flocks are infected with Campylobacter but show no signs of illness,” she noted.
“Campylobacter can easily spread from bird to bird through a common water source or through contact with infected feces.”
Symptoms and treatment
Typical symptoms of Campylobacteriosis illness include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever.
“Diarrhea caused by this infection can be either watery or bloody, depending on the area of the intestines affected, and typically begins two to five days after exposure,” said Charoen.
In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, Campylobacter infection has also been linked to long-term issues like reactive arthritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can affect the joints and nervous system, Charoen added.
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Almost all people infected with Campylobacter recover without any specific treatment, according to Baum.
“Patients should drink extra fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts,” she advised.
“In more severe cases, antibiotics such as azithromycin or erythromycin can shorten the duration of symptoms if given early in the illness.”
Typical symptoms of Campylobacteriosis illness include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever. (iStock)
Beyond the five listed above, there are other bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
These include Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), Clostridium perfringens, toxoplasma and others.
Preventing foodborne illness
Dr. Benjamin Barlow, an emergency physician and chief medical officer of American Family Care — a provider of urgent care, accessible primary care and occupational medicine in Alabama — provided the following guidance for preventing contamination of foods.
“You can prevent foodborne illnesses by washing your hands after touching any animals or their food, or being in their environment,” Barlow, the former senior White House physician for Presidents Obama and Trump, told Fox News Digital.
“Avoid eating any undercooked food such as ground beef, poultry or eggs and raw/unpasteurized milk, including cheeses made with it,” he added.
Experts say to wash any fruits and vegetables before cooking and to keep raw meat separate from other foods. (iStock)
Before beginning food prep, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, Barlow advises.
“Also, wash your hands between touching raw meats and other food before eating,” he said. “If you can, wear gloves while preparing food.”
It’s also best practice to wash any fruits and vegetables before cooking and to keep raw meat separate from other foods.
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When cooking food, use a thermometer to make sure it reaches the safe minimum internal temperature, Barlow emphasized.
Safe temperatures are 165°F for chicken and 145°F for beef, pork and shellfish.
Safe temperatures are 165°F for chicken and 145°F for beef, pork and shellfish.
It’s also important to check expiration dates and discard expired items, experts agree.
“Make sure food is refrigerated within two hours of being cooked – this is especially important as we enter the season of holiday parties,” Barlow said.
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“In the summer heat, food should be refrigerated after one hour.”
Anyone experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea or vomiting, should not prepare any food to avoid passing on the bacterium or virus, the doctor added.
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In a dramatic turn of events that’s captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide, Punch — the young macaque at a zoo in Japan famous for his inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan toy — has reached a major milestone in his journey toward social integration.
On Thursday, visitors and staff at the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden witnessed a breakthrough: Punch was seen cuddling with and hitching a ride on the back of a fellow macaque.
Punch’s story began with hardship. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth in July 2025 — and to ensure his survival, zookeepers stepped in to hand-rear the primate.
On Jan. 19, 2026, the zoo officially began the process of reintegrating Punch into the “monkey mountain” enclosure.
The transition was initially fraught with tension.
Punch’s story began with hardship when he was abandoned by his mother shortly after he was born. To help him, zookeepers gave him a stuffed toy that he began dragging around everywhere he went. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As a hand-reared infant, Punch was bullied and ignored by the established group of monkeys.
He was often seen huddled alone with his orange plush companion while the rest of the troop interacted.
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In an official statement released Feb. 27, the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden detailed the meticulous care behind this process.
Previous viral videos showed Punch bullied by the rest of the troop, running to his plushy toy for comfort. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“From an animal welfare perspective, our primary goal is to reintegrate Punch with the troop,” the zoo said.
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The strategy involved nursing Punch within the enclosure, so the troop could recognize him as one of their own, and pairing him with a gentle young female macaque prior to his full release to build his confidence.
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The latest footage, captured by X user @tate_gf, suggested the zoo’s patience is paying off.
The video shows Punch seeking physical contact not from his toy, but from another monkey — eventually climbing onto its back for a vital social behavior for young macaques: the “piggyback ride.”
The zoo’s strategy appears to be paying off: Punch, shown at far left, was recently seen riding on the back of a fellow macaque. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Punch still carries his stuffed toy for comfort during moments of perceived danger, the zoo remains optimistic about his progress.
The organization cited the successful 2009 case of Otome, another hand-reared macaque who eventually outgrew her stuffed toy, successfully integrated — and went on to raise four offspring of her own.
The zoo has had crowds coming to see Punch, with hundreds of people lining up to get inside to see the young star, according to reports.
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“I’m hoping Punch has a good life like everybody else does, and think he’s a cute little guy,” one person commented online.
“Such a precious baby,” another person wrote.
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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Artificial intelligence has been touted as a boon to healthcare, but a new study has revealed its potential shortcomings when it comes to giving medical advice.
In January, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, the medical-focused version of the popular chatbot tool.
The company introduced the tool as “a dedicated experience that securely brings your health information and ChatGPT’s intelligence together, to help you feel more informed, prepared and confident navigating your health.”
But researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that the tool failed to recommend emergency care for a “significant number” of serious medical cases.
The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Feb. 23, aimed to explore how ChatGPT Health — which is reported to have about 40 million users daily — handles situations where people are asking whether to seek emergency care.
Artificial intelligence has been touted as a boon to healthcare, but a new study has revealed its potential shortcomings when it comes to giving medical advice. (iStock)
“Right now, no independent body evaluates these products before they reach the public,” lead author Ashwin Ramaswamy, M.D., instructor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
“We wouldn’t accept that for a medication or a medical device, and we shouldn’t accept it for a product that tens of millions of people are using to make health decisions.”
Emergency scenarios
The team created 60 clinical scenarios across 21 medical specialties, ranging from minor conditions to true medical emergencies.
Three independent physicians then assigned an appropriate level of urgency for each case, based on published clinical practice guidelines in 56 medical societies.
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The researchers conducted 960 interactions with ChatGPT Health to see how the tool responded, taking into account gender, race, barriers to care and “social dynamics.”
While “clear-cut emergencies” — such as stroke or severe allergy — were generally handled well, the researchers found that the tool “under-triaged” many urgent medical issues.
The team created 60 clinical scenarios across 21 medical specialties, ranging from minor conditions to true medical emergencies. (iStock)
For example, in one asthma scenario, the system acknowledged that the patient was showing early signs of respiratory failure — but still recommended waiting instead of seeking emergency care.
“ChatGPT Health performs well in medium-severity cases, but fails at both ends of the spectrum — the cases where getting it right matters most,” Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital. “It under-triaged over half of genuine emergencies and over-triaged roughly two-thirds of mild cases that clinical guidelines say should be managed at home.”
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Under-triage can be life-threatening, the doctor noted, while over-triage can overwhelm emergency departments and delay care for those in real need.
Researchers also identified inconsistencies in suicide risk alerts. In some cases, it directed users to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in lower-risk scenarios, and in others, it failed to offer that recommendation even when a person discussed suicidal ideations.
“ChatGPT Health performs well in medium-severity cases, but fails at both ends of the spectrum.”
“The suicide guardrail failure was the most alarming,” study co-author Girish N. Nadkarni, M.D., chief AI officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, told Fox News Digital.
ChatGPT Health is designed to show a crisis intervention banner when someone describes thoughts of self-harm, the researcher noted.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, the medical-focused version of the popular chatbot tool, in January 2026. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“We tested it with a 27-year-old patient who said he’d been thinking about taking a lot of pills,” Nadkarni said. “When he described his symptoms alone, the banner appeared 100% of the time. Then we added normal lab results — same patient, same words, same severity — and the banner vanished.”
“A safety feature that works perfectly in one context and completely fails in a nearly identical context … is a fundamental safety problem.”
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The researchers were also surprised by the social influence aspect.
“When a family member in the scenario said ‘it’s nothing serious’ — which happens all the time in real life — the system became nearly 12 times more likely to downplay the patient’s symptoms,” Nadkarni said. “Everyone has a spouse or parent who tells them they’re overreacting. The AI shouldn’t be agreeing with them during a potential emergency.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Open AI, creator of ChatGPT, requesting comment.
Physicians react
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, called the new study “important.”
“It underlines the principle that while large language models can triage clear-cut emergencies, they have much more trouble with nuanced situations,” Siegel, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
ChatGPT and other LLMs can be helpful tools, a doctor said, but they “should not be used to give medical direction.” (iStock)
“This is where doctors and clinical judgment come in — knowing the nuances of a patient’s history and how they report symptoms and their approach to health.”
ChatGPT and other LLMs can be helpful tools, Siegel said, but they “should not be used to give medical direction.”
“Machine learning and continued input of data can help, but will never compensate for the essential problem – human judgment is needed to decide whether something is a true emergency or not.”
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Dr. Harvey Castro, an emergency physician and AI expert in Texas, echoed the importance of the study, calling it “exactly the kind of independent safety evaluation we need.”
“Innovation moves fast. Oversight has to move just as fast,” Castro, who also did not work on the study, told Fox News Digital. “In healthcare, the most dangerous mistakes happen at the extremes, when something looks mild but is actually catastrophic. That’s where clinical judgment matters most, and where AI must be stress-tested.”
Study limitations
The researchers acknowledged some potential limitations in the study design.
“We used physician-written clinical scenarios rather than real patient conversations, and we tested at a single point in time — these systems update frequently, so performance may change,” Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital.
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Additionally, most of the missed emergencies happened in situations where the danger depended on how the condition was changing over time. It’s not clear whether the same problem would happen with acute medical emergencies.
Because the system had to choose just one fixed urgency category, the test may not reflect the more nuanced advice it might give in a back-and-forth conversation, the researchers noted.
ChatGPT Health is designed to show a crisis intervention banner when someone describes thoughts of self-harm. (iStock)
Also, the study wasn’t large enough to confidently detect small differences in how recommendations might vary by race or gender.
“We need continuous auditing, not one-time studies,” Castro noted. “These systems update frequently, so evaluation must be ongoing.”
‘Don’t wait’
The researchers emphasized the importance of seeking immediate care for serious issues.
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“If something feels seriously wrong — chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe allergic reaction, thoughts of self-harm — go to the emergency department or call 988,” Ramaswamy advised. “Don’t wait for an AI to tell you it’s OK.”
The researchers noted that they support the use of AI to improve healthcare access, and that they didn’t conduct the study to “tear down the technology.”
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“These tools can be genuinely useful for the right things — understanding a diagnosis you’ve already received, looking up what your medications do and their side effects, or getting answers to questions that didn’t get fully addressed in a short doctor’s visit,” Ramaswamy said.
“That’s a very different use case from deciding whether you need emergency care. Treat them as a complement to your doctor, not a replacement.”
“This study doesn’t mean we abandon AI in healthcare.”
Castro agreed that the benefits of AI health tools should be weighed against the risks.
“AI health tools can increase access, reduce unnecessary visits and empower patients with information,” he said. “They are not inherently unsafe, but they are not yet substitutes for clinical judgment.”
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“This study doesn’t mean we abandon AI in healthcare,” he went on. “It means we mature it. Independent testing and stronger guardrails will determine whether AI becomes a safety net or a liability.”
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