Is there danger lurking in your lunch? Which foods tend to be safe, which foods may need extra precaution

Are some foods more prone to contamination? What about the popular peanut butter sandwich?

Before the recent salmonella scare, most people would probably have considered peanuts a relatively safe food. No more. The weeks-long salmonella outbreak, linked to unsanitary conditions at a manufacturer called the Peanut Corp. of America, has landed the tasty legume in the high-risk category and heightened awareness about food safety overall.

The most common food-related illnesses are caused by bacteria and parasites such as E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 76 million cases of food poisoning are reported in the U.S. each year. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems are most vulnerable.

Any food can make you sick if it’s not handled or prepared correctly, but some are especially risky. Thoroughly cooking your food reduces your chance of getting sick, but if you suspect food poisoning, contact your doctor.

Which foods are believed to be least likely to make you sick, and which need extra precautions? Click on the items at the left to learn more.