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Food Safety News: Floodwater carries pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, according to the West Virginia notice and guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Raw sewage, heavy metals and chemicals are also a concern. “Whenever those organisms come in contact with a food source, it becomes dangerous to consume,” Hemlick’s warning said. Even root vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, that are under ground should not be consumed if floodwaters covered the soil above them. Similarly, fresh produce such as squash and melons that have been touched by floodwaters should not be eaten, according to the FDA. Their thick rinds do not provide protection for the edible flesh inside.

Read the full article at the Food Safety News website