Dining out is a popular pastime, but it's essential to be aware of potential food safety risks. We all have our go to foods whenever we are at a restaurant and enjoy the prospect of getting to eat their favorite meal. But even in the most high-end restaurants, the risk of getting sick always lingers. You never know when or what may cause issues for you

Food poisoning is a common problem that can lead to things like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 48 million people in the United States get sick from food poisoning each year. While sometimes it is unavoidable, being aware of these things can help you understand things that can go wrong and taking precautions when eating at restaurants. It's crucial to be informed to protect your health and enjoy your dining experience without worry. Here are some foods you should either avoid or be careful while eating.

Foods You Should Be Careful About While Dining Out

Eggs

Even eggs that look fine can have Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria can make you sick with stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Restaurants can cause outbreaks if they don't cook eggs to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, store them at the wrong temperature, use unpasteurized eggs, or use dirty cooking tools. These bad practices let bacteria grow and make people sick. So, it's important to cook and handle eggs the right way.

Pre-Cut Melons

Melons that are cut up ahead of time, like in fruit salads, are more likely to cause food poisoning. When you cut a melon, bacteria on the outside can get to the inside. If lots of fruit is cut in one place, it's easier for bacteria to spread. Since people eat melons raw, there's no cooking to kill the germs. These germs, like Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli, can make you really sick. So, be careful with pre-cut melons.

Sprouts

Sprouts are healthy, but they grow in warm, wet places where bacteria like Listeria like to live. Even washing sprouts doesn't always get rid of these germs. And because people usually eat sprouts raw, there's no cooking to kill the bacteria. This makes sprouts a big cause of food poisoning. There have been lots of outbreaks linked to sprouts, with many people getting sick and even ending up in the hospital. So, it's a good idea to avoid sprouts, especially at restaurants.

Undercooked Meat

Meat that isn't cooked enough can have harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. Campylobacter is a common cause of diarrhea. Ground beef is extra risky because it's often made from meat from many different cows. If one cow is sick, all the ground beef can be contaminated. While quickly cooking the outside of a steak can kill surface germs, undercooked ground beef and other meats are still dangerous. Cooking meat all the way through is super important.

Fishes

Some fish can cause specific kinds of food poisoning. Ciguatera poisoning happens when you eat fish that ate poisonous algae, like grouper, sea bass, and red snapper. Cooking doesn't get rid of these poisons. Scombroid poisoning can happen if fish like tuna, sardines, and mahi-mahi aren't stored correctly, which lets bacteria make poisons. Cooking doesn't help with this either. It's important for restaurants to get their fish from good places and keep it stored at the right temperature.

Oyster

Oysters filter water, which means they can collect bacteria and viruses. A big risk is vibriosis, which is caused by Vibrio bacteria that live in warm ocean water where oysters grow. Eating raw or undercooked oysters is very risky. These bacteria can cause serious sickness, and sometimes even infections in the blood. Cooking oysters completely to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit makes them much safer. So, cooked oysters are a better choice.

Leafy Greens

Greens like lettuce and spinach can get contaminated with bacteria from things like dirty water, animal poop, and not handling them correctly. Even washing them might not get rid of all the germs, especially if they're inside the leaves. Bacteria can grow fast on greens that are wilted or slimy. Restaurants need to get their greens from good farms, wash them really well, and store them correctly. Choosing fresh, crispy greens helps reduce the risk.

Steer clear of certain food items in buffets

Buffets have a higher chance of food poisoning for a few reasons. Many people use the same serving spoons, which spreads germs. Food can sit out for too long at the wrong temperature, letting bacteria grow. Also, people might cough or sneeze near the food. Common germs at buffets include bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, and viruses like norovirus. Restaurants need to check food temperatures, change serving spoons often, and make sure everyone is washing their hands.

Amid India's growing burden of high blood pressure among the youth, Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said hypertension is emerging as a major public health concern due to worsening lifestyle habits.

High blood pressure is a “silent killer” that is rapidly increasing among India’s youth because of unhealthy lifestyle changes, the minister said.

Hypertension Rising Rapidly Among Young Indians

Ahead of World Hypertension Day 2026, Jadhav noted that the condition often progresses without visible symptoms and can eventually lead to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes.

“In today’s time, it is essential that we make our communities more sensitive and aware and strengthen awareness about hypertension. Due to changing lifestyles and reduced attention to physical and mental health, hypertension is rapidly increasing even among the youth,” Jadhav said in a video message during the ‘Illness to Wellness Conference on Transforming Hypertension Care: Prevention to Wellness’ organized in the national capital.

He highlighted that the Government of India, under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS), is actively promoting population-based screening, early detection, and management through Health and Wellness Centers across the country.

Modern Lifestyle Habits Increasing Hypertension Risk

Prof. Rakesh Yadav, Cardiologist and head of the Department of Emergency Medicine at AIIMS, New Delhi, stated that once known to be the disease of the elderly, hypertension is now more common among the youth. The reason — lifestyle changes, the experts said.

“The biggest problem is that despite increasing awareness, people still do not monitor their blood pressure regularly or continue treatment consistently. Hypertension is no longer limited to the affluent or elderly; it is now affecting all sections of society, including children and young adults,” said Prof. Rakesh Yadav, Cardiologist and head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi.

“Obesity remains one of the major underlying causes, and regular monitoring of blood pressure and sugar levels, affordable lifelong medication, healthy dietary practices, and weight management are essential to reducing mortality associated with hypertension and related diseases,” he added.

In India, more than 1 in 4 people have hypertension, and cumulatively, more than 90% of adults with hypertension are either undiagnosed, untreated, or treated but live with uncontrolled hypertension.

Experts at the conference also pointed out that modern lifestyles marked by long working hours, constant connectivity, poor sleep, sedentary habits, and rising stress levels are significantly contributing to the growing burden of hypertension and other lifestyle disorders.

Another major concern, they said, is that many people tend to ignore early symptoms until complications arise, negatively affecting treatment outcomes.

“Hypertension is one of the biggest public health challenges today because most people do not take it seriously until complications arise. Nearly one in four adults is affected by hypertension, yet awareness and blood pressure control remain very low,” said Dr. Ripen Gupta, Vice Chairman & Unit Head - Cardiology, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.

Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, said high blood pressure is not limited to urban populations and is increasingly affecting youth in rural India as well.

“The problem of hypertension is as prevalent in rural India as it is in urban India, but because we live in metro cities, we often believe it is only an urban problem. Early detection is extremely important because without early detection, early treatment becomes difficult,” Bhushan said.

Experts Stress Early Detection And Preventive Care

Bushan stated that non-communicable diseases impact GDP significantly across countries, and therefore, prevention and timely intervention are critical.

Hypertension should never be taken lightly, said Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Chairperson, FICCI Medical Education Task Force and Medical Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre. He urged people to follow medical advice seriously to avoid long-term complications.

The doctors called for critical lifestyle interventions for prevention and management. This included:

• annual BP screening,
• aerobic exercise,
• resistance training,
• reduced desk time,
• proper sleep,
• yoga,
• meditation,
• monitoring BMI and waist circumference.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called a “silent killer” because it may cause no symptoms, but serious damage to multiple organs can occur. Most people associate hypertension only with heart attacks, but its ill effects extend far beyond the heart. Persistent high blood pressure can gradually damage the brain, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels, reducing both quality and length of life.

The heart pumps blood through blood vessels, which carry blood to every organ. When hypertension is not properly treated, blood pressure remains high for years, and these blood vessels become stiff, narrow, and damaged. This affects blood flow to vital organs that these blood vessels supply and triggers multiple health problems.

Hypertension: Stroke And Dementia Risk

One of the most serious consequences is damage to the brain. Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke. A blood vessel in the brain may either get blocked or burst due to excessive pressure, resulting in paralysis, speech difficulty, or even death.

Repeated uncontrolled hypertension can also impair memory and thinking ability over time, increasing the risk of vascular dementia in older age. Many patients are surprised to learn that controlling blood pressure today may help preserve brain function years later.

Hypertension: The Silent Effect On Kidneys

The kidneys are another major target. High blood pressure damages the delicate blood vessels inside the kidneys, gradually reducing their ability to function.

In fact, hypertension is one of the important causes of renal failure leading to dialysis. Unfortunately, kidney damage develops silently and may remain unnoticed until advanced stages. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and kidney function is therefore essential.

Hypertension And Eyesight

The eyes, too, can suffer from uncontrolled hypertension. The tiny blood vessels of the retina may narrow, leak, or bleed, leading to blurred vision or even permanent visual loss.

Eye specialists can often detect signs of long-standing hypertension during routine retinal examination. Sometimes, the eyes provide the first warning that blood pressure has been poorly controlled for years.

Hypertension Weakens Blood Vessels

High blood pressure also weakens arteries throughout the body. It accelerates hardening of blood vessels, increases the risk of peripheral artery disease, and can contribute to aneurysms — dangerous ballooning of arteries that may rupture unexpectedly. In some patients, hypertension is linked to sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and reduced exercise capacity.

Hypertension: How To Curb

The good news is that hypertension is both detectable and treatable. Lifestyle measures remain the foundation of prevention and control.

Maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and managing stress can significantly lower blood pressure.

Adequate sleep is equally important. However, many patients also require medicines, and these should be taken regularly even when one feels perfectly well.

Adults should check their blood pressure periodically, especially after the age of 30 or earlier if there is obesity, diabetes, or a family history of hypertension. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent devastating complications later.

Hypertension is not merely a “heart problem.” It is a whole-body disease that silently injures multiple organs. Recognizing this reality is the first step toward prevention, timely treatment, and healthier living.

The risk of hantavirus spreading is generally considered low, as repeatedly stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health agencies, after the recent outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship. However, a shocking peer-reviewed study has found that the Andes strain of the rat-borne virus can persist in human semen for up to six years.

More concerning is the possibility that the virus could potentially be transmitted sexually even after a person has recovered, according to the 2023 study published in the journal Viruses.

The research, conducted by Swiss scientists at Spiez Laboratory, suggests that hantavirus may survive in the male reproductive tract like viruses such as Ebola.

What Did The Study Find?

The research team, which included scientists from the University of Bern and the University of Lausanne, investigated a 55-year-old man who had contracted the Andes strain of hantavirus in South America six years earlier.

The researchers discovered that although the virus was no longer detectable in the man’s blood, urine, or respiratory tract, it was still present in his semen 71 months later.

"Viral RNA remained primarily detectable intracellularly in semen samples throughout the complete study period of almost six years," the 2023 study stated,

“Taken together, our results show that the Andes virus has the potential for sexual transmission,” it added. However, so far no confirmed case of such transmission has yet been documented.

Also read: Hantavirus Outbreak: Critically Ill French Patient On Artificial Lung Support

Andes Virus: Male Testes Hidden ‘Reservoirs’?

Hantavirus is not the first virus found to persist in the male reproductive system. According to the study, viruses such as Ebola and Zika are also known to evade the immune system by remaining hidden in the testes for extended periods.

A 2021 Ebola outbreak in Guinea, which resulted in 23 cases and 12 deaths, was later linked to a survivor of the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic who reportedly transmitted the virus sexually years after recovery.

The testes are considered a biological “safe harbour” for at least 27 infectious diseases, enabling certain pathogens to remain hidden in the body and potentially spread years after a patient has recovered.

Because sperm cells are essential for reproduction, they are shielded from the body’s immune response. However, this immune protection can also create an environment where viruses are able to survive and persist for long periods.

Safe-Sex Guidance For Hantavirus-Infected Individuals

Analysts at Airfinity, a company that tracks global health risks, recommend that male patients should receive “extensive safe-sex guidance beyond the [42-day] quarantine”, the Telegraph reported

The guidance should be “analogous to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Ebola survivor semen-monitoring protocols,” it added.

The WHO protocols recommend that the semen of male Ebola survivors should be tested every three months and should not be considered virus-free until two consecutive negative test results are obtained.

Until cleared, they should “abstain from all types of sex” or “use condoms consistently and correctly.”

They should also wash themselves “thoroughly” with soap and water after any contact with semen – including after masturbation, according to the guidance.

Hantavirus on MV Hondius

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 people have been affected by the rat-borne virus so far, of whom three have died.

A Dutch couple is believed to have been first exposed to the virus while visiting a birdwatching site in Argentina.

The WHO has confirmed that the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only strain known to spread from person to person — is behind the outbreak.

While all passengers onboard the cruise have been taken care of by health authorities, the virus' long incubation period is a serious risk factor. Which means that even those asymptomatic can turn infectious 6-8 weeks later.