Tips for Avoiding Food Poisoning
We all eat food, and sometimes we get sick from it, but there are some simple steps you can take to avoid contracting gastrointestinal illnesses. The most important thing you can do is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching any food. Be especially careful when cooking meat, poultry, or seafood because these foods are especially prone to contamination which can lead to illness.
One of the biggest problems with food-borne illness is cross-contamination, a term used to describe the spread of bacteria from one food item to another via your hands, cooking tools, or kitchen surfaces. For example, if you handle raw meat and then prepare a salad without washing your hands or changing your gloves, or washing the cutting board first, you could potentially spread bacteria from the raw meat to other foods via kitchen surfaces. Here are the tips for avoiding food poisoning.
1. Check Expiration Dates:
Remember that food poisoning isn’t only caused by eating spoiled food; any food that has been left at room temperature for too long is susceptible to bacteria. One way to avoid eating spoiled foods is by checking the expiration date on the package. If you think you might be running low on time, freeze perishable items immediately, and microwave them briefly before serving.
2. Wash Fresh Produce — but Not Meat, Poultry, or Eggs:
It’s important to keep the family produce at the top of your list because many vegetables are more likely to get spoiled. By buying fresh produce at the grocery store, you can also limit your risk of cross-contamination with other foods. To wash produce before eating it, simply place it in a colander and pour cool water over it. Then rinse under cool running water and pat dry. Once you’ve washed your produce, it’s best to use an oven mitt to protect your hands when handling the item. While potatoes are among the most commonly contaminated items, you can keep their appearance intact if you wash them before cooking.
3. Separate Proteins and Produce:
One of the most important steps to avoid food poisoning is to keep different types of foods separate. When cooking, place raw meats on one side of your kitchen countertop and vegetables on the other side. This will prevent them from coming into contact with each other and having a chance to contaminate what you’re preparing. Once you have cooked or served any type of meat or seafood, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly before touching anything else.
4. Know the Temperature ‘Danger Zone’ for Perishables and Prepared Foods:
Experts agree that when it comes to dealing with food poisoning, your best defense is temperature. Foods that are at room temperature are the ones that are most likely to be contaminated with bacteria, so you should keep them in the refrigerator until they’re ready to be cooked. Once you’ve cooked food and it’s been brought into the danger zone, it’s safe to serve but must then be kept in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to use it. The danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and foods should never be left in this range for more than two hours.
5. Keep It Clean:
Some of the most common household bacteria can be found in your kitchen, so keep it clean to avoid cross-contamination. Wash cutting boards and utensils with warm soapy water between uses. Don’t allow raw food or food that has come in contact with raw meat products to sit on a countertop for a long period of time; instead, immediately put it in the refrigerator or freezer.
6. Marinate and Thaw Meats in the Refrigerator:
Marinating meat in the refrigerator not only keeps it from drying out and becoming too tough to eat but also allows you to use a less-powerful cooking method. For example, you can use a shallow pan with marinade without having to soak the meat in a liquid bath. Additionally, by letting foods thaw slowly in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature, you’ll avoid accidental cross-contamination.
7. Cook Foods Thoroughly:
Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should never be eaten unless it has been thoroughly cooked. It’s also best to thaw meat by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or under running water instead of in a microwave which can cause food-borne illnesses. Surfaces that have come into contact with raw meats must be washed thoroughly before being used for anything else. A quick way to make sure your kitchen is clean and free from bacteria is to wash and sanitize all of your cooking surfaces between uses.
8. Minimize Restaurant Risks:
Restaurants are some of the most common places to get food poisoning. Refrigerate or freeze perishable items you take out of the refrigerator or microwave, and then be sure you re-test for safety before eating the food. Once you’ve ordered a meal, keep it hot until your server brings it out to you. Remember that if you order entrees that contain raw meat, your server will not be able to bring it to you until it has been cooked.
9. Don’t Forget Food Safety on the Road:
If you’re traveling and don’t have access to a refrigerator, freeze your food before leaving home. It’s ideal for keeping perishables in airtight containers and using ice packs to keep them as cool as possible. If you’re eating at a fast food restaurant, order your food right away and be sure it reaches the table quickly. If you need to reheat your food, make sure that it’s thoroughly cooked before eating it.
In Conclusion:
If you do your best to follow the tips above, you’ll reduce the risk of getting sick from food poisoning. Remember that for every person who does get sick, many more will eat contaminated food and never experience any symptoms. However, if you follow these methods and still manage to get food poisoning, be sure to see a doctor right away. In the meantime, make sure that you drink a lot of fluids and try to rest as much as possible while your body is working hard to power through the toxins.
