5 Tips to Avoid E. Coli Contamination
Symptoms of E.Coli include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They usually start about 3 or 4 days after you come into contact with the bacteria. Most people get better in about a week and don't usually see a doctor. They are usually not aware of having E.Coli unless a blood test was performed to confirm.
Five steps to take to protect your family:
1. When shopping for greens or produce, buy only the items kept on ice or items kept refrigerated and away from meat.
2. Store fruits and vegetables away from meat in the fridge so juices don't drip or come in contact with them.
3. Scrub your hands for ten or more seconds with warm soapy water before handling food. Always wash produce before you eat it and especially cut into it.
4. Use separate cutting boards for veggies and meat to avoid collecting bacteria.
5. According to the FDA, cooking veggies or boiling to a temperature of 160 degrees doesn't guarantee you will eliminate E.Coli, but it does improve your chances of not getting sick.
Following these steps greatly reduces your chances of your family picking up the E.Coli illness. What I always do after I prepare raw meat for a meal is wash my hands. You should wash your sink and counter top in the kitchen just in case some juices happen to drip when you were not paying attention. It only takes a few seconds and provides a good example for your children. Then hopefully they will pick up on the safe actions that you have been practicing in your home.
Source:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/e-coli-infection-topic-overview
Published by Dale Miller
Lives in Buffalo,NY and works in the auto industry. I like to write articles for websites on topics that are interesting to me. You should never stop learning. View profile
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