How to Prevent Food Poisoning

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention over 76 million people per year, that's 208,219 people per day, in the United States alone are diagnosed with a food borne illness, or food poisoning.

The CDC says that despite strong messages sent out to food processors, restaurants, and the public at large there are a staggering 5,000 deaths caused by food poisoning reported per year in the continental United States.

On its website the Center states that although the majority of cases are symptomized by minor gastrointestinal irritation it is important for all people, especially parents of young children to be able to recognize and determine the causes poisoning. Recognizing the dangers and how to handle them can go a long way to preventing infection in the first place, avoiding a trip to the hospital.

The startling facts from the CDC are that of 76 million illnesses, only 14 million come from identifiable sources. 75% of those identifiable are caused by Salmonella and other related pathogens. Taking the proper precautions can help prevent infection from Salmonella or any other contaminant, be it known or unknown.

Precautions

The Federal Food and Drug Administration suggests that the number one precaution and biggest weapon in the battle to fight food contamination is washing your hands. The biggest thing to remember is to always wash your hands before and after handling food for preparation, as well as between working with different ingredients in your food. As well washing your hands after using the washroom is another major step in the fight against contamination. Thousands of cases of illness, some from food poisoning, happen every day in the U.S. and can be traced back to bacteria found in human feces. These bacteria are most likely spread from someone along the supply chain failing to wash their hands after using the bathroom. It is important to keep a strong antibacterial soap on hand and use it after bathroom visits and while preparing foods. Food preparation areas and tools should also be kept clean in a similar fashion and areas where meat is allowed to thaw should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before any other activities are performed in that area.

The second most important factor, according to the FDA & the CDC, is to ensure that your meat is thoroughly cooked. The major carriers of bacteria and pathogens are poultry and beef. When preparing meat the most important thing to know is that Salmonella and other bacteria live on the outside surface of the meat. Therefore when a steak is cooked any bacteria present are killed very quickly. As long as you ensure that the meat is cooked at a decent temperature (165° F/74° C) and that it is thoroughly cooked for the most part, those who like a little pink in the middle are relatively safe. When it comes to ground meats, including beef, cooking anything medium-rare is like playing Russian roulette with your health. The grinding process mixes all layers of the meat together and allows any bacteria on the surface to be blended in with the entire batch of meat. The only way to be safe when eating ground meats is to ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly and to the center. When it comes to ground meats well done is the only way it should be done.

Some recent studies by the FDA have presented the theory that many vegetable are now becoming more common sources for food poisoning due to E.Coli in fertilizer being absorbed through the roots of the growing vegetables. Most common sources are dark and leafy greens. It is good advice to ensure that spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and similar vegetables also be cooked at 165°F/74°C

The final precaution to take is to pay attention and to educate yourself about food safety. Be aware of warnings in the media and on the news regarding incidents of food contamination, the products affected and the sources. Avoid those products until it is announced they are safe. Know how to recognize a potential site of contamination and avoid it.

Don't just read and know the proper habits for food safety but practice them as well. Following the proper steps can significantly reduce your and your family's risk of infection and serious illness.