An Unwelcome Dinner Guest: Ousting E.Coli At Home

Every week, a new story emerges. Consumers are horrified to learn of new cases of food poisoning - at fast-food restaurants, fine dining establishments, and even at home. Spinach, apple juice, ground beef, and other foods have made headlines in recent months - as carriers of a nasty germ called E.Coli.

It almost makes us wonder: is it safe to eat at home? Is it safe to eat at all?

What is E.Coli?

Escherichia coli (E.Coli) naturally exists in the human intestine. It plays an important role in our body's absorption and use of Vitamin K and B-complex vitamins.

However, variant forms of the bacterium (such as the infamous E.Coli O157:H7) appear elsewhere in nature, and these germs can be quite harmful to humans. For example, strains of E.Coli are present in the feces of livestock. If these contaminate the water we drink, or the food we eat, we can very quickly become quite sick.

How Can E.Coli Affect Humans?

Harmful strains of E.Coli can cause severe fever, chills, stomach upset and cramping, including diarrhea, which can lead to intestinal bleeding and dehydration. This is particularly dangerous for very young children, the elderly, and those with compromised health.

E.Coli has been linked to eating undercooked meat (especially ground beef) and drinking impure water or unpasteurized milk.

How Can We Avoid E.Coli at Home?

Of course, consumers need to evaluate carefully the places in which we dine out. It is difficult to control cleanliness practices in eating establishments. What's more, we need to practice food hygiene at home. Several simple safety measures can protect you and your family from contamination:

Shop Smart

Be sure all fresh produce you buy is kept very cold and stored away from meat products in the store. Keep an eye on those grocery baggers at the checkout counter; meat should be bagged separately from other foods.

Avoid alfalfa and other raw sprouts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration labels these as a high-risk food because they often are found to harbor bacteria.

Store Foods Safely

Store uncooked meats below fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator, so they will not drip onto your produce. Paradoxically, most refrigerators actually include produce bins in their lower compartments. These would be an excellent place to store raw meats, since you can easily remove and disinfect them, when needed. If the meats should drip, it would be contained inside the bins.

Clean Up Before Cooking

Wash your hands carefully and often, particularly before opening and preparing food. At least 30 seconds of scrubbing in hot, soapy water will make your hands sufficiently clean for food preparation.

As you cook, wash your hands again after handling uncooked meat, unwashed produce, or other potential contaminants. (If you touch your face, your pet, a light switch, a doorknob, or another possible germ-carrier, you will need to re-wash as well.)

Defrost Without Danger

Defrost all meat and poultry in the refrigerator, not on the countertop. This takes longer, but prevents germs from breeding. Never defrost meat in your kitchen sink. It is quite possibly the most germ-laden spot of the entire home.

Wash All Produce Carefully

All fruits and vegetables must be washed. Remember how these are grown - in the soil with fertilizer, or even manure. Scrub fruit carefully, even if you plan to peel it before eating. After all, your knife will touch the outside and inside. Lettuce should be rinsed well (even pre-cut salads).

Scrub vegetables with a firm brush, which is only used for veggies. (Amazingly, some people use their sink brush. This is a bad idea!)

Segregate Cutting Surfaces and Tools

Avoid cross-contamination by using different cutting boards for produce, meat, and poultry. (Plastic dishwasher-safe cutting boards are the best bet.) Also, dishes and utensils which have touched raw meat should not be re-used.

Cook Away Germs

Boiling, baking, or otherwise cooking items to an internal temperature of at least 160 (F) will kill most bacteria. Soups should reach a rolling boil before serving. Meat and poultry should be cooked sufficiently, so juices run clear.

Disinfect as You Go

Disinfect all kitchen surfaces carefully, using bleach or antibacterial soap. Convenient antibacterial cleaning wipes are available as well. Toss towels and sponges in the wash, or use paper towels, to avoid continued contamination.

Enjoy Stress-Free Eating

Cooking for your family is an act of love, as you seek to nourish your loved ones and keep them healthy. By using common sense, and taking these precautions, you can certainly minimize your family's risk of E.Coli infection. Whatever you make for dinner tonight will certainly be more appetizing, without fear of E.Coli!