Can also be found in unpasteurized milk. Most often found in raw or rare ground beef. E.coli has also been associated with outbreaks involving fresh produce and apple cider. Staph bacteria are found on our skin, in infected cuts and pimples, and in our noses and throats. Staph can multiply rapidly at warm temperatures to produce a toxin that causes illness.
Staph bacteria prefer cooked food high in protein.
They also grow in foods high in sugar or salt. Other sources include unpasteurized milk, untreated drinking water and infected pets. Although the counter may look clean, bacteria from the poultry may still be present - and may have transferred to the lettuce. Your friends and family eat the lettuce and now run the risk of getting foodborne illness. Therefore be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and clean and sanitize all surfaces frequently with an antibacterial agent.