Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating foods contaminated with the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. Food poisoning also refers to Listeria infection (also known as listeriosis). It is uncommon but it can cause death in at-risk people, such as the elderly and people whose immune systems are not working properly. It can be dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn babies.
As per United states food and drug administration, there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually, the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans each year. And each year these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
Food poisoning makes your stomach uncomfortable. Symptoms often include vomiting, fever, and aches, and may include diarrhea. Foodborne illness or food poisoning usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or food storage. Good hygiene practices before, during, and after food preparation can reduce the chances of contracting an illness. There are the easy and simple steps to avoid food poisoning.
Keep food covered
Food in the kitchen should be covered properly. Open food may attract bacteria and insects. Fly, mosquitos and cockroaches can make food hazard at your home.
Place cooked food in the fridge within one hour of cooking
Make this a practice. If you cooked food and somehow your dinner time is getting late then put your food in the fridge. The reason behind this is when you left your cooked food out of the fridge, bacteria can grow in the food at room temperature. Therefore, it is best to keep your cooked food inside the fridge if you are being late for the dinner or lunch.
Put raw meat, poultry and fish below cooked or ready-to-eat food in the fridge
Meat, poultry product and fish need to be stored at a cool temperature. At room temperature, bacteria can grow faster. Contaminated poultry food can create food poisoning. Therefore it wise to Put raw meat, poultry and fish below cooked or ready-to-eat food in the fridge to prevent drips that could contaminate pre-prepared food.
Do not use refrigerated foods beyond their use-by dates
Food purchased from the supermarket have best-before or expiry dates. This date tells that food can be used before the expiry date. You need to make sure that the food inside your fridge is not an expiry product. By doing this you can avoid food poisoning.
Keep your fridge clean
Fridge protects your food from being contaminated. But fridge itself can be a reason of food contamination if not properly cleaned time to time.
Wash your hands before preparing food
This is the first protection you can do to avoid food contamination. Keep your hands clean with good soap or disinfectant liquid soap.
Wash raw fruit and vegetables well before eating
Fruits and vegetables must be cleaned properly before eat. Food may contain a small & thin layer of protective chemical, used for preservation. These chemicals, if not properly removed at the end user can create the food hazard and food poisoning.
Cook all foods of animal origin, including eggs, thoroughly
Each poultry product, fish and eggs must be cooked properly at a proper temperature. Temperature greater than 60-degree centigrate is ideal for cooking food.
Use clean knives and spoons
Don't use the same boards and knives for cooked foods that you used for raw foods unless they have been washed in warm, soapy water.
Defrost food before eat
Defrost food by placing it on the lower shelves of the fridge or use a microwave.
Apply these steps in your daily life. You can make your family healthy and safe. I believe most of the people are already doing these hygiene practices at home, office or other places. If you have not previously concern about food poisoning hazard then it is the time.
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