These kinds of reactions to a particular food can be referred to as food poisoning. Food poisoning can affect one person or a group of people who all ate the same contaminated food.
Food poisoning is caused due to ingestion of foods contaminated with certain bacteria, viruses or parasites. Bacteria are present everywhere but when consumed in large quantities it results in an adverse reaction.
Food Poisoning Symptoms:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomitting
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dryness of mouth and throat
- Dehydration
Preventing Food Poisoning Tips:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before you handle any food item.
- Cover any cuts or bruises on your hands if you are handling any food.
- Clean all the cooking area with soap and water before starting any food preparation.
- Kitchen napkins and towels are good sources of bacteria. Wash them frequently or use disposables instead.
- Wash the vegetables and fruits well before you eat them off. Unwashed foods can be contaminated with bacteria.
- Rinse the chopping board carefully before it is used for handling meat products since non-veg foods are relatively more contaminated.
- Cook foods thoroughly. Heat can destroy the organisms that result in food poisoning. This is more so in the case of non-veg food. Improperly cooked meats are the biggest cause of food poisoning.
- Thaw frozen meats in refrigerator or in the microwave. Do not thaw at the room temperature. Do not refreeze meats once they are thawed.
- Never leave foods at room temperature for more than two hours. Room temperature is ideal for bacterial multiplication.
- See food for spoilage. Do not use if smelling bad or has some fungal growth. If using canned foods, check the cans. Dispose them off if they are bulging, dented or rusted. If canning foods at home, sterilize the cans properly.
- Do not eat wild mushrooms unless certified safe by an expert.
- Check the temperature of the refrigerator. It should not be more than 40 degree Fahrenheit. Cold slows down the growth of the microorganisms.
- Do not eat any exposed food and keep all the foods covered.
You might think the solution is to get rid of all the bacteria. But it isn’t possible and you wouldn’t want to do it, even if you could. Bacteria are all around us, including in food, and sometimes they can be good for you. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness along with certain precautions can help you prevent the incidence of food poisoning.
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