Dive Summary:

• A new report from the CDC has reported that in the last decade, leafy greens had the highest level of contamination and spread the most illness than any other food.
• The study analyzed numbers from 1998-2008 and found that 1 in 5 illnesses were caused by leafy greens and almost 50% linked to produce in general.
• As instances of food poisoning are on the rise, a report like this can weigh heavy on the backs of legislators who are set to finish drafting new food safety and agricultural bills.  

From the article:

Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are the leading source of food poisoning according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), reports ABC News. The reports, which covers the years 1998 to 2008, found that about 1 in 5 illnesses were linked to leafy green vegetables, more than any other type of food, and nearly half of all food poisonings were attributed to produce in general. Each year about 48 million Americans suffers food poisoning, resulting in some 128,000 hospitalization and 3,000 deaths, according to CDC estimates.