Pork: 145°F (63°C) + 3-minute rest
Beef (ground): 160°F (71°C)
Fish: 145°F (63°C) or until opaque and flaky
🚫 Never eat raw pork. Sushi-grade fish is frozen to kill parasites—but not foolproof.
2. Raw or Undercooked Shellfish (Oysters, Clams, Mussels)
Filter feeders → absorb parasites from polluted water
Can carry trematodes (liver flukes) and protozoa
💀 Case Study: Raw oysters linked to Vibrio and Norovirus—but also Cryptosporidium and Giardia
✅ Rule: Cook shellfish until shells open and flesh is opaque.
❌ Avoid raw shellfish if immune-compromised or pregnant.
3. Unwashed Fruits & Vegetables
Grown in soil contaminated with animal/human feces
Can carry:
Toxoplasma gondii → toxoplasmosis (dangerous in pregnancy)
Giardia → giardiasis (chronic diarrhea, bloating)
Cyclospora → prolonged intestinal infection
✅ Protect Yourself:
Wash all produce under running water
Use a veggie brush for firm skins (potatoes, cucumbers)
Peel when possible
Soak leafy greens in vinegar solution (3 parts water : 1 part vinegar) for 10 mins
🚫 Don’t just rinse—scrub!
4. Unpasteurized Dairy Products
Raw milk, cheese (especially soft cheeses like Brie, queso fresco), and yogurt
Can harbor:
Cryptosporidium
Giardia
Toxoplasma
