Could the packaged, prepared and processed food items you buy be harming your health? According to health professionals, the answer is yes.
Even though the United States is a leader in food safety regulations and research, around one-sixth of Americans experience foodborne illnesses annually, as explained by Jagdish Khubchandani, a public health professor at New Mexico State University with expertise in food safety, in an interview with HuffPost.
In addition, the outlet notes that the Department of Health and Human Services indicates that over 100,000 individuals will require hospitalization, and more than 3,000 will lose their lives, based on information from the Food and Drug Administration. With that said, we did some research and consulted with health professionals to identify the most harmful processed foods in grocery stores that could contribute to illness in the upcoming year, and how to steer clear of them.
5 Surprising Processed Grocery Items Health Experts Say to Avoid in 2025
1. Pre-Cut and Canned Fruit
According to Darin Detwiler, the head of the Food Safety Program at the National Environmental Health Association and author of "Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions," purchasing pre-cut fresh fruits from the supermarket might not be a safe option.
As Detwiler told HuffPost: "convenience should not be a priority over protecting ourselves and our families." He mentioned that he has observed employees in the produce department cleaning the floor without washing their hands before cutting and packaging fruits. He noted that this "is where we find contamination issues, cross-contamination, and increased time when food is no longer safe and pathogens grow before we even buy them."
When it comes to canned fruit, Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, founder of Future Bright Dermatology tells SheFinds that it is best avoided for your skin health. She recommends choosing fresh produce and fruit as opposed to canned or pre-cut fruit, as these are often "high in sugar content since they are floating in sugar water or syrup."
2. Prepared Buffet Foods
Another location where harmful microorganisms can thrive is in the ready-to-eat cooked foods found in the grab-and-go areas of grocery stores. These items, usually made on-site, are meant to be eaten straight from their packaging. According to Detwiler, as reported by HuffPost, he avoids these options.
He highlighted the challenge of maintaining the proper temperatures for both hot and cold prepared foods. These foods are frequently kept within the "danger zone," a temperature range from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In this temperature range, bacteria can quickly multiply and cause illness, particularly if the food remains there for over two hours.
3. Bagged Lettuce
Because there have been multiple outbreaks of E. coli and listeria connected to pre-packaged lettuce, Detwiler advises purchasing an entire head of lettuce and washing it yourself, as he mentioned to HuffPost. He explained that he has witnessed "grocery stores bag their own branded leafy greens mix and they have no idea of how many heads of lettuce are in the bag or where they came from."
He went on: "Why would we still, after all these incidents, just open a bag of mixed, ready-to-eat ‘pre-washed’ leafy greens anymore?" Ultimately, with bagged lettuce, he believes that there have been "far too many outbreaks and recalls and a lack of transparency and traceability."
4. Deli Meat
Detwiler also told HuffPost that he is "not a fan of purchasing chicken or ground beef at the meat counter." This is because he believes "employees often know little about food safety, do not follow ‘first in, first out’ policies, have no idea where the product came from, nor how long it has been there."
Khubchandani also dished to the outlet that workers handling these foods might come to work while ill, neglect proper hygiene, and fail to maintain the correct temperature in the deli case. Rather than purchasing items from the deli counter, Detwiler advises selecting pre-packaged products that display a brand name, expiration dates, and lot numbers, and making deli-style meals yourself at home.
In addition, Lisa Richards, registered nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, tells SheFinds that deli ham stands out as especially worrisome, with many popular brands containing sodium amounts that nearly reach half of the recommended daily intake. "Sodium is used for both taste and preservation of deli meats and ham," Richards warns. The excessive sodium intake associated with deli ham can lead to bloating, water retention, and high blood pressure. It may also contribute to the accumulation of belly fat, further raising the stakes for heart health.
The high sodium content not only poses immediate risks such as bloating and water retention but also raises concerns about long-term cardiovascular health. Individuals looking to safeguard their hearts may consider exploring lower-sodium alternatives or, even better, incorporating lean protein sources that are kinder to the heart. As Richards emphasizes, "for those needing to follow heart-healthy diets, processed meats like deli ham are best avoided or consumed in moderation."
5. Cantaloupe
In 2011, cantaloupe was linked to a widespread listeria outbreak across the nation, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 people and causing illness in 147 others. According to Detwiler and HuffPost, this incident ranks among the most lethal cases of foodborne illness in the United States. Why is cantaloupe particularly susceptible to causing foodborne illness?
As Detwiler told the outlet, it "has an exterior that cannot be cleaned adequately to kill pathogens" and "the pH inside is at a level that supports rapid growth of pathogens." The publication reported that when consumers slice into a cantaloupe, bacteria from the outer surface can transfer to the flesh inside and multiply quickly.
The Bottom Line
Kung recommends "making your own soups with fresh ingredients with less cream and salt" and whipping up "fresh pasta and sauces from scratch," as this "allows us to control the sugar and salt content" of the meals we consume.
Regarding your skin health and slowing down aging, she also specifically tells SheFinds that incorporating more "fatty fish, eggs and spinach" into your diet is best as opposed to eating processed foods, as these are "high in protein" and can "enhance collagen formation." The more you know!
