What straightforward method drastically reduces the risk of illness from raw sprouts?

Answer

Cooking them thoroughly

The most effective and direct means of significantly mitigating the risk of foodborne illness associated with alfalfa sprouts is to subject them to heat through cooking. This heating process functions as a pasteurization step, which is necessary to neutralize and kill any potentially harmful bacteria, such as _Salmonella_ or _E. coli_, that might reside on the surface or within the sprout tissue. This safety measure is crucial because the risk pathway for sprouts stems from seed contamination combined with growth in a favorable environment for bacterial multiplication, and the pathogens are not easily removed via rinsing. Cooking can be achieved by quick sautéing, light steaming until just wilted, or incorporating them into hot dishes like soups or casseroles toward the end of the preparation time, ensuring the internal temperature reaches a level sufficient to neutralize pathogens.

What straightforward method drastically reduces the risk of illness from raw sprouts?

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