While all meat should be cooked before eating, take particular care to cook chicken and pork thoroughly and never eat them 'rare'! Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria like E.
The Virginia Dept. of Health warns, "Eating raw or undercooked oysters or clams can lead to serious illness or death," particularly if you suffer from certain medical conditions like liver disease.
Like crabs and mussels, raw bony fish can harbor parasites and bacteria. This is especially true for certain freshwater species, like carp and snakehead.
Raw eggs can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can cause severe food poisoning and even death in vulnerable people. The yolk and the white of the egg can contain Salmonella, and refrigeration does not eliminate the risk because the bacteria can survive in cold temperatures.
Uncooked or improperly cooked kidney beans contain a toxin called lectin, which can cause gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Rhubarb stalks are a popular ingredient in pies and sauces, but the leaves of the plant contain high levels of oxalic acid, which is toxic to humans.
Elderberries are used in jams, jellies, and wines, but the raw berries contain a toxin called sambunigrin that causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Unripe mangoes contain a higher concentration of toxic sap that can irritate the skin, throat, and mouth and cause gastrointestinal discomfort, cramps, and diarrhea.
Ackee is a popular food in Jamaica, but it must be consumed with caution. Raw fruits, particularly the inner red tissue, contain phytochemicals and hypoglycin A that can cause 'Jamaican vomiting
Honey can be delicious and healthy, but it should never be given raw to infants under one because it can contain spores of a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum.