Food Safety Education Month
Thursday September 24, 2020
Foodborne illness (sometimes called food poisoning, foodborne disease, or foodborne infection) is common, costly - and preventable.
You can get food poisoning after swallowing food that has been contaminated with a variety of germs or toxic substances. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every year an estimated 1 in 6 Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.
View CDC site
Because of this, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency offers the following tips on food safety:
Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning
Clean
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Wash your hands and work surfaces before, during, and after preparing food. Germs can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils, cutting boards, and countertops.
Separate
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Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate cutting boards and keep raw meat away from other foods in your shopping cart and refrigerator.
Cook
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Cook food to the right internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer.
Chill
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Keep your refrigerator 40°F or below. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking (or within 1 hour if food is exposed to a temperature above 90°F, like in a hot car).
“Anyone can get food poisoning, but certain groups of people are more likely to get sick and to have a more serious illness,” says Paul Andriacchi, Director of Environmental Health at the tri-county Health Department. “Their bodies’ ability to fight germs and sickness is not as effective for a variety of reasons. Those who are 65 and older, younger than 5, have a weakened immune system, or are pregnant need to take extra precautions to keep themselves healthy.”
Five Symptoms of Severe Food Poisoning
Symptoms of food poisoning often include diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, or nausea. See your doctor if you have severe symptoms such as:
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High fever (temperature over 102°F, measured orally)
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Bloody stools (poop)
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Frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down, which can lead to dehydration
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Diarrhea that lasts more than three days
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Dehydration, which causes symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, and little or no urination
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment.