How to Identify Food Contamination

Food contamination is the result of foods and drinks making contact with bacteria and environmental toxins and experiencing adverse effects that degrade their quality. Instances such as improperly cooked meats like beef and chicken, and water contaminated with dirt and environmental toxins, are a few causes of food contamination. Unfortunately, this is very common and often times unavoidable due to food being handled, packaged and processed before it reaches the consumer.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for dents and puncture holes in canned foods such as vegetables, fish and potted meats. Holes and dents expose the food to contaminants in the air and cause illnesses such as botulism. When buying canned foods, always make sure the can is smooth with no signs of dents, holes or poor handling. This practice should also be applied to dry foods like cereals, rice, noodles, cheese and breads. Breads and cheeses that are either left in the refrigerator for too long, or exposed to the air, can grow green or black mold spots that are definite signs of food contamination. It is important to throw these foods away immediately, and sanitize the container if you wish to keep it.

• 2

  Check the color and texture of meats. Many people enjoy eating meats that are slightly less than well-done or are medium rare, and this is an acceptable practice if the food meets quality cooking standards. However, eating foods that don't meet proper cooking standards can cause food poisoning. If the color of meat you are eating is darker than pink or very red, or looks "mushy" or wet then it is safe to assume that it is contaminated. Click on the Resources link below to view proper temperatures for cooking meats.

• 3

  Look for unwashed fruits and vegetables and unsanitary surfaces such as cutting boards and kitchen countertops. Unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as meats, can carry bacteria such as E. Coli. Cooking surfaces that have not been cleaned between food preparations are also breeding grounds for cross-contamination, or an instance where bacteria from one food has been transferred to another through unclean surfaces. Salmonella is an example of food cross-contamination that is very common because it mostly occurs in chicken and eggs, two foods that are regularly prepared and consumed.

• 4

  Watch for physical symptoms after ingesting foods or drinks. Although not every case of food poisoning produces symptoms, many of them do. Signs of sickness immediately or shortly after eating can usually point to food contamination, and include but are not limited to stomach pain or cramps, sweating, nauseousness and dizziness. Check the link titled, "Food Contamination and Symptoms" for a list of symptoms and possible treatments.