Monday, May 7, 2018

How To Avoid Food Poisoning

If you were ever food poisoned, you know how unpleasant of an experience it is. Food poisoning is a serious illness and is caused by eating contaminated food that is handled, stored and/or prepared incorrectly. The most common symptoms include: nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and headache.

Foods at High-Risk Include:

• Undercooked meat and fish; especially red meat
• Raw and smoked seafood
• Undercooked shellfish
• Deli Meats
• Meat Spreads
• Unpasteurized milk and dairy products
• Eggs and egg products
• Prepared fruit salads
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables


Vulnerable Groups Include:

• pregnant women
• the elderly
• young children
• people with chronic illness

How to Prevent Food Poisoning

There are 4 ways to prevent food poisoning:

• Clean – always wash your hands before and after handling and eating food or after a visit to the washroom.

• Cook – make sure that food is thoroughly cooked in order to destroy any harmful bacteria.
• Chill – keep food cool in order to prevent bad bacteria from growing; make sure that your fridge is set to the correct temperature.

• Separate to Prevent Cross-Contamination – separate raw and cooked foods during storage and cooking and never let raw food, for example raw meat, come into contact with food that is ready-to-eat.

Food does not have to come from restaurants or grocery stores; food prepared at home is just as likely to cause the illness.

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