The answer is yes.
In fact, 838 consumers from 38 different states recently learned this shocking truth through an outbreak of a foodborne illness known as salmonella. In total, 165 people have been hospitalized and four deaths have been reported.
“Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through water. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.”
The scary thing is that salmonella is not uncommon. In fact, the CDC reports that “every year, Salmonella is estimated to cause one million illnesses in the United States, with 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths.”
Though many people develop no symptoms from salmonella, some can become very ill. The Mayo Clinic says that those who do have symptoms often “develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within eight to 72 hours.” That said, “most healthy people recover within a few days without specific treatment.”
However, there are those who contract this illness can become very ill. “In some cases, the diarrhea associated with salmonella infection can be so dehydrating as to require prompt medical attention,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Life-threatening complications also may develop if the infection spreads beyond your intestines.”