How do you prevent food borne illiness?

Preventing Foodborne Illness

Foodborne illness is a serious public health problem. It is estimated that each year, 1 in 6 Americans gets sick from eating contaminated food. Foodborne illness can cause a variety of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In some cases, foodborne illness can even be fatal.

There are a number of things that you can do to prevent foodborne illness. Here are some tips:

* Wash your hands often. This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of bacteria. Wash your hands before handling food, after using the bathroom, and after touching anything that could be contaminated with bacteria, such as raw meat or poultry.

* Cook food to the proper temperature. Use a food thermometer to make sure that food is cooked to the proper temperature. This will kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.

* Refrigerate food promptly. Bacteria grow quickly at room temperature. Refrigerate food within two hours of cooking.

* Defrost food safely. Never thaw food at room temperature. Thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

* Clean your kitchen surfaces regularly. Use hot soapy water to clean your kitchen counters, cutting boards, and utensils.

* Avoid cross-contamination. This means keeping raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

* Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. This will help to remove any harmful bacteria that may be present.

* Be careful when eating raw foods. Some foods, such as raw eggs, milk, and meat, can be contaminated with harmful bacteria. Avoid eating raw foods if you have a weakened immune system.

* Get vaccinated against foodborne illness. There are vaccines available to protect against some foodborne illnesses, such as typhoid fever and hepatitis A. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated.

By following these tips, you can help to reduce your risk of foodborne illness.