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Nutritionists agree that a healthful diet includes a variety of foods. But for seniors, certain foods may pose a significant health hazard because of the level of bacteria present in the product's raw or uncooked state. Senior's should avoid the following products:

  • Raw fish and shellfish, including oysters, clam, mussels and scallops.
  • Raw or unpasteurized milk or cheese.
  • Soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, blue-veined and Mexican-style cheese. (Hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese or yogurt need not be avoided).
  • Luncheon meats.
  • Raw or lightly cooked egg or egg products including salad dressings, cookie or cake batter, sauces and beverages such as egg nog.
  • Raw meat or poultry.
  • Raw alfalfa sprouts which have only recently emerged as a recognized source of food-borne illness.
  • Unpasteurized or untreated fruit or vegetable juice. When fruits and vegetables are made into fresh squeezed juice, harmful bacteria that may be present can become part of the finished product. Most juice in the United States, 98-percent, is pasteurized or otherwise treated to kill harmful bacteria. To help consumers identify unpasteurized or untreated juices, the Food and Drug Administration is requiring a warning label on these products. The label says, "WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems."

See also:  Seniors at Risk for Malnutrition

Source:  Food and Drug Administration

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