Passionately Raw!

  The recent Cyclospora scare in the United States that spread across 45 states and affected thousands of people, left some raw food lovers wondering about the safety of the greens they are buying since the outbreak was linked to contaminated lettuce, but this difficult to wash off parasite might have also contaminated blueberries, raspberries and even snow peas.  Cyclospora species are not the only parasites that can contaminate raw vegetables or fruits so the concerns are not exaggerated.  The most common species beyond the Cyclospora cayetanensis are Ascaris (roundworm) Cryptosporidium  E. coli  Giardia  Salmonella There are of course other microbes and parasites that affect raw milk and cheeses made out of raw, unpasteurized milk as well as raw eggs, and raw or undercooked fish, meat and poultry. Raw food omnivores must be extra careful where and how they obtain the produce they consume raw.  Consumption of contaminated produce results in food...