Not washing spaghetti squash before cutting it

Although spaghetti squash is probably not the first item that springs to mind when discussing foodborne disease, it is possible to become unwell after consuming spaghetti squash. Although the danger of salmonella and E. coli from winter squash is often lower than that from animal products, the CDC nevertheless advises washing all fruits and vegetables under running water, even if you don't intend to eat the skin. You should rinse spaghetti squash from top to bottom before chopping it since this food safety procedure applies to it.

If your Healthline mentions that from the time they are harvested and the time they end up in your supermarket basket, fruits and vegetables are handled by several people. At least one of those hands was probably dirty, and it's possible that it contaminated the squash's skin. Winter squash can become contaminated by bacteria like listeria found in soil, as was the case with the 2021 butternut squash recall, according to Food Safety News. Without cleaning it beforehand, cutting into a spaghetti squash can introduce such pollutants into the flesh. Listeria can produce other potentially deadly side symptoms including fever or vomiting, and it is especially risky to pregnant women since it can result in miscarriage or early delivery.