Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on August 19, 2026
A buffet is something that is so common where I live. People flock to them to try new foods, enjoy old favorites and of course overindulge on things that we may not get to eat every day.
Today we are going to take a look at some foods to avoid while enjoying your favorite buffet.
It’s pretty common for buffets to place foods made of potatoes, or other carbohydrates, at the start of the line-up. These dishes — which could include French fries or mashed potatoes — are designed to fill your plate and your belly fast. To avoid falling into this trap, try to skip potato dishes when you first head up to the buffet trays. Seek out the foods that will give you more bang for your buck, like dishes made with meat or seafood.
Buffet sushi and sashimi can leave you with a serious bellyache. Sushi that has raw fish in it can be a breeding ground for pathogens that cause food poisoning. A spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Lauri Wright, explained this to Reader’s Digest: “Without cooking, the fish may harbor such bacteria as salmonella, vibrio, and some parasites.” This only gets worse when the sushi is served in a setting where multiple customers are potentially poking, prodding, and inspecting it. This is because there is no way to know whether your fellow customers have washed their hands or not. But it gets worse. The longer that food like sushi sits out in the open, the riskier it gets for consumption. If you’re really craving a sushi fix, it could be a better choice to get it in a restaurant where it’s freshly made to order.
These dishes — which often contain deep-fried pieces of meat submerged in a syrup-like sauce — can be abundant in sugar and fat. Just one serving of sweet and sour chicken can contain over 1,500 calories, almost 90 grams of fat, and around 80 grams of sugar. If you’re heading back to the buffet for a second helping, those numbers are only going to grow.
The large glasses that buffet restaurants often provide might seem generous, but it’s all part of a ploy for them to save money. Soda generally costs eateries very little, which is partly why this type of drink is served in abundance. But also, the more soda you drink, the fuller you’ll get. That’s exactly what buffet restaurants want you to do. Drinking soda helps you to eat less of a buffet’s more expensive items, saving the business money.
Cantaloupe, as well as other melons, are known to harbor bacteria. Other fruits have a higher acidity that helps them kill off any nasty bugs. But cantaloupe does not, explains the University of Wisconsin—Madison. That means that bacteria like Salmonella can cling to its surface more easily, heightening the risk of food poisoning. Salmonella infection is no joke. As well as causing cramping, fever, and vomiting, it can also be seriously dangerous and even life-threatening for some individuals.
When you find a salad with a protein element at your local buffet, it can feel like a big win. If your buffet has a chicken salad, you might be tempted by this combination of lean proteins and leafy greens. Unfortunately, this dish could be a hotbed for bacteria.
While this seafood item is one of the classiest things you can eat at a buffet, it’s also one of the riskiest. Raw oysters are especially prone to contamination from Vibrio bacteria, which can cause a form of food poisoning called vibriosis. Vibriosis can cause classic symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, but it can also be particularly harmful. The disease kills around 100 people each year in the U.S., per the CDC. Buffets are a hotspot for vibrio-containing oysters. In 2009, over 50 people were afflicted with food poisoning from two different hotels, with buffet oysters believed to be the culprit.
This is just another basic filler food that takes up stomach space and provides a hearty dose of carbs.
This dish is more likely to cause food poisoning because it’s made of eggs, which are common carriers of Salmonella. Even when eggs appear to be fresh, they are still able to get you sick, warns the Food and Drug Administration. Eggs can become even more hazardous if they’re undercooked, according to Kendra Busalacchi, a registered dietician (via The Healthy). If that egg salad is looking especially soft, you’d be smart to skip it.
If condiments are being dished up in a tray, you should give them a wide berth. Shared condiment trays are likely to harbor bacteria, explained microbiologist Jason Tetro to CBC: “If they are just open and there are spoons and things like that, then there’s a very good likelihood that people will get their fingers in there.” This results in potentially unwashed hands being near condiments and in contact with serving utensils. Both of these things can make contamination more likely.
If the buffet table has fresh tuna or tuna steaks, they could be even more dangerous. Improper storage of fresh tuna can lead to it spoiling. This can cause scombroid poisoning when eaten, according to the California Department of Public Health. Scombroid poisoning is a form of food poisoning that involves symptoms like vomiting, rashes, and trouble swallowing. Tuna that causes scombroid can sometimes be identified by its off taste, smell, or appearance. However, sometimes it can be invisible. Also be aware of tuna made in the form of salads as that poses its own set of risks.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine examined the level of contamination on the average restaurant lemon slice. In an experiment, it was found that around 70% of restaurant lemon slices had bacteria growing on them. This is bacteria that — once in your drink — goes straight into your stomach, potentially causing infection or illness.
We all have our favorite things at the buffet but now have an idea of things to avoid while enjoying this indulgence. For more food safety tips please follow Make Food Safe.