Protect Yourself Now From This Most Common Food Bug

Protect Yourself Now From This Most Common Food Bug

For decades, food poisoning has been a common occurrence globally. In the U.S. alone --- based on data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) --- from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010, there were 1,527 foodborne disease outbreaks resulting in 29,444 cases of illness, 1,184 hospitalizations, and 23 deaths. Of the 790 outbreaks with a laboratory-confirmed illness, norovirus was the most commonly reported infection outbreak, followed by Salmonella.

What is Salmonella

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. It is usually caused by foods that include contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, cheese, contaminated raw fruits and vegetables such as alfalfa sprouts and melons. Other sources include spices and nuts. Usually, symptoms last for a few days, and most people can recover without treatment. However, Salmonella can cause more severe illness in older adults, infants, and persons with chronic diseases.

Victims of Salmonella poisoning often experience symptoms ranging from diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and others, which can last anywhere From 4-7 days. If you are unable to receive immediate medical attention, the advice is that you drink plenty of fluids and get enough rest. Fluids will help to prevent dehydration due to diarrhea.  However, should your symptoms prevail or are severe, try to see a doctor as soon as possible.

How to Protect Yourself Against Salmonella

You can protect yourself from becoming a victim of Salmonella food poisoning by following the USDA's, CDC's, and other related agencies' recommended cooking and pasteurization precautions. One of such recommendations is that you should avoid eating high-risk foods, such as raw or lightly cooked eggs, undercooked ground beef, or poultry, and do not drink milk unless it's pasteurized.

Nine Tips On Protecting Yourself from Salmonella

Make sure you practice these few food preparation, storage, and food handling techniques below at all times:

• Food should always be kept refrigerated at the correct temperature at all times before cooking.
• Always wash your hands (including between fingers) thoroughly with soap and warm water at all times before handling food.

·        Sanitize all cutting boards and other surfaces used for preparing food before using them.

·        Store cooked and ready-to-eat foods separately.

·        Raw meats and other uncooked foods should not be stored above cooked foods.

·        Wash all knives and other utensils used on raw foods thoroughly before using them on cooked foods.

·        Cooked foods should not be placed on plates where raw foods once were, not before these plates are washed or adequately sanitized.

·        Practice using a meat thermometer to test foods, just to make sure they are cooked to a safe internal temperature.

·        Foods should be chilled promptly after serving and also when transporting from one place to another.

·        If you should ever come in contact with animals, their food/treats, or their living environment, you should wash your hands properly with soaps and warm water before preparing foods for humans.

Whether working as a chef or just cooking for your family and yourself, following the above food handling precautions can help protect yourself and others from becoming ill from Salmonella -- one of the most common bugs that cause food poisoning in the United States.