Food poisoning is common and one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Millions of people suffer from food poisoning every year due to contaminated food and drink. Eating contaminated food can cause serious illnesses that may even be fatal. Therefore, taking measures to prevent and minimize the risk of food poisoning is essential. This article will discuss how to prevent and minimize the risk of food poisoning.
We will examine various topics, such as proper food handling, safe storage, and other safety tips. So keep reading to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your close ones from food poisoning.
Causes of Food Poisoning
Various sources, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, cause food poisoning. According to CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 48 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses yearly in the United States alone, resulting in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths annually. It is imperative to know symptoms and sources of food poisoning to take the necessary steps to prevent it.
The causes of food poisoning include:
● Bacteria
Certain bacteria, such as Salmonella and E.coli, can cause foodborne illness. These bacteria are commonly found in contaminated meat, eggs, poultry, and seafood.
● Viruses
Norovirus is a common virus that causes food poisoning. It is typically spread through contact with someone with the virus or by eating contaminated food.
● Parasites
Parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms can cause food poisoning when humans consume infected meat or vegetables.
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Prevention and Minimizing Risk of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can be prevented with proper food handling, safe storage, and other safety tips. A few things to prevent and minimize the risk of food poisoning:
- Wash your hands often when handling raw foods and before consuming them. Use warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Separate raw food from cooked and ready-to-eat food. This is important to prevent cross-contamination, which can spread bacteria between foods.
- Cook all meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and other animal products to a safe internal temperature.
- Refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within two hours of purchasing or preparing it. This will help keep bacteria from growing on the food and prevent it from spoiling.
- Avoid eating anything raw or undercooked eggs, meat, poultry, and seafood. These items are more likely to contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning if not cooked properly.
- Throw away any food left at room temperature for over two hours.
- Avoid purchasing food from places that do not appear clean and hygienic.
- Pay attention to the expiration dates on various food packages, as older food is more likely to contain harmful bacteria.
- Use thermo scanners to monitor the temperature of the food when it is being transported.
- Ensure all staff handling food are trained on hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing and sanitizing surfaces.
- When travelling, store cold food in an insulated cooler and keep hot food warm in a thermal container.
- Only drink water that has been boiled or bottled. Consuming contaminated water can lead to food poisoning, so it is important to be sure the water is safe before drinking it.
Conclusion
Food poisoning is a serious health risk that can cause severe illness and death. Therefore, taking precautions and practising safe food-handling methods is essential to prevent and minimize the risk of food poisoning. Following the guidelines above will help you stay healthy and protect yourself and your family from potential illness or injury due to foodborne illnesses.
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