( TIME.com ) -- Did you have a nasty case of food poisoning this year ? Chances are that fruit or vegetables were the culprit . Every year , one in six Americans gets sick from food , 128,000 people are ill enough to go to the hospital for their symptoms , which typically include nausea , vomiting and diarrhea . Major food recalls and reports of food-related illness seem to be a monthly , if not weekly occurrence , with a bout of illness from contaminated ground beef reported just this week . Over the last three days , Whole Foods Market recalled batches of its Whole Catch Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon , and Sprouters Northwest of Kent , Washington , recalled 1953 pounds of alfalfa , clover , brocco sandwich sprouts , and spicy sprouts due to potential contamination with Listeria . Taking a closer look at the problem , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a comprehensive report detailing the common sources of foodborne illness in the United States from the years 1998 through 2008 . The largest culprit ? Leafy greens . Based on data from nearly 4,600 outbreaks of food illness , researchers estimated the number of cases attributable to 17 different food categories and found that produce accounted for 46 % of cases . Leafy vegetables such as spinach and cabbage were responsible for the majority of the illnesses , and most were caused by norovirus , which is spread to produce from water contaminated by fecal matter . TIME.com : FDA proposes major regulations for food safety . Although contaminated meat and poultry triggered fewer illnesses , they accounted for the most deaths -- at 19 % -- from listeria and salmonella infections . In the last ten years , there have been three major listeria outbreaks linked to sliced processed turkey , and salmonella was responsible for the most recent sickness among several people who consumed kibbeh , a Middle Eastern dish with raw meat , from a restaurant in Detroit . Despite the findings , the CDC says that people should n't avoid eating fruit and veggies . `` When properly cleaned , separated , cooked , and stored to limit contamination , fruits and vegetables safely provide some essential nutrients that would otherwise be lacking in most American diets , '' the report authors write . The goal of the report , in fact , is n't to scare consumers but to aid regulatory agencies in their efforts to prevent contamination and improve food safety . Although the report does n't pinpoint where along the production chain food gets contaminated , the CDC says its previous research found most infections are caused by norovirus that is spread by sick food handlers . In a report on foodborne norovirus outbreaks during 2001 to 2008 , the CDC found over 80 % of outbreaks were associated with food prepared in commercial settings like restaurants , delis , or catering businesses . TIME.com : Illnesses from imported foods on the rise . Health officials hope the timing of the report brings more attention to needed changes in how food is handled and processed in the United States . The CDC 's report follows the Food and Drug Administration 's recently released food safety rule proposals earlier this month . The FDA released two major requirements for improving food safety for public commentary , and will be holding a public meeting on the rules at the end of February . The draft proposals -- the first in 70 years -- will allow the FDA to take on a preventative rather than reactive role in dealing with food contamination . One of the rules focuses specifically on produce , which the CDC found is the main cause of foodborne illness in the United States . The FDA proposal will require strict standards for growing , harvesting , packing and holding fruits and vegetables as well as increase sanitation for irrigating fields and washing produce and strengthen rules for maintaining worker hygiene . It will also increase surveillance for materials used in soils like fertilizers and manure , provide better management of animals that enter crop fields , and improve cleanliness of processing equipment . TIME.com : Illnesses from salmonella , e. coli rose in 2010 . Health officials hope the reports lead to substantial changes in food handling that will translate into fewer outbreaks of foodborne illnesses , which they , say , are largely preventable . This story was originally published on TIME.com . Veggies to blame for majority of foodborne illnesses .
CDC researchers find produce accounts for 46 % of illnesses . Most were caused by norovirus , which is spread via contaminated water . Contaminated meat and poultry account for the most deaths , CDC says .