Poisoning Expert Reveals the 6 Foods and Drinks That He Refuses to Consume

January 26, 2016 Last Updated: January 26, 2016

Bill Marler is an expert in food poisoning, after spending 20 years working on lawsuits involving food poisoning claims.

He’s been involved in lawsuits against Chipotle and a host of other restaurants, and won hundreds of millions of dollars for clients who got sick after eating bad food.

Over time, he’s developed a list of foods and drinks he refuses to consume–and he revealed the list to Bottom Line Health.

1. Unpasteurized, or raw, milk and packaged juices


2. Raw sprouts

Marler notes that uncooked or lightly cooked sprouts have been linked to more than 30 bacterial outbreaks in the U.S. since the mid-1990s.

3. Meat that isn’t well-done

“The reason ground products are more problematic and need to be cooked more thoroughly is that any bacteria that’s on the surface of the meat can be ground inside of it,” Marler said. “If it’s not cooked thoroughly to 160°F throughout, it can cause poisoning by E. coli and salmonella and other bacterial illnesses.”

4. Prewashed or precut fruits and vegetables

Marler says the more a food is handled or processed before it reaches the consumer, the more likely it is to become tainted.

5. Raw or undercooked eggs


6. Raw oysters and other raw shellfish

These have been causing more foodborne illness lately, likely due to more microbial growth stemming from warming waters.