More and more fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy are benig recalled on a daily basis, than it seems like ever before! Why? Is it that our food sources are getting more dangerous or not as healthy? Well, the short answer is no.

Research shows that the monitoring and recording of foods that cause illness are better than ever. We are learning sooner than ever before when cantaloupes are causing listeria illness and deaths and being recalled. The same goes for meats and dairy and even canned and packaged food.

However, hearing on the news daily, or seeing in the papers, that yet ONE more food product has made many people ill or cause deaths can really scare people.

So how do we protect ourseleves and know what we are eating is safe? How do we do this BEFORE we become one of the sick or even worse?

KNOWLEDGE = POWER!

Don't stick your head in the sand. Watch the news. Read the papers. When a recall is being done for bagged salad, or avocados, or cantaloupes. Pay attention! If you, and your family, eat these products be sure you have a safe batch or simply THROW OUT what you do until the recall is long over and its safe to return to those items.

There is no definitive way to be sure what you eat IS in fact safe before you do. We can only trust in the US Food and Safety Division guidelines. We need to buy these products from reputable stores and places where they also screen the products they sell and are aware of any and all recalls on a daily basis.

You can also go yourself to this website to see WHAT may be a concern or recalled at that time:

http://www.fda.gov/Food/default.htm

Recently, recalled food products have ranged from bagged salad, to frozen burgers, to fresh ricotta salata cheese, to even ice cream and canned chicken. It has been constant with fresh fruits and vegetables from all over as well. Somehow during the process of being picked, shipped and sold and/or made in the factory plant, processed and shipped, these items are becoming contaminated. Tainted with various viruses and bacteria that range from minor illnesses to death.

Pay attention to what you buy and eat and what is being recalled on a daily basis. Wash all fruits and vegetables as thoroughly as possible before eating - even the outer skins to prevent further cross contamination.

It may add a little more work to your daily routine, but it can also save you some serious illness or discomfort in the long run!