Food Safety
Alan Florencia
Bacteria and Viruses
Bacteria and viruses are a type of food poisoning. The severity of food poisoning caused by bacteria vary, depending on which bacteria or virus has contaminated the food.
Some microbial food poisoning
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus
- Yersinia enterococolita
- Staphyloccus aureus
- Clostridium botulinum
- Bacillus cereus
- Norwalk virus
- Ratrovirus
- Salmonella Spp
- Campylobacteria jejune
- E. coli
- Listeria monocylogenes
- Clostridium perfringens.
Allergens
Food allergy is a reaction to a food triggered by your body's immune system. Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death.
The foods that most often trigger allergic reactions are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
Clean Hands
Washing your hands the right way can stop the spread of illness-causing bacteria.
Here’s how to do it:
- Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap.
- Rub your hands together and scrub them well. Make sure to scrub the backs of your hands and between your fingers.
- Rub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Sing the Happy Birthday song if you need a timer.
- Rinse your hands well under running water.
- With the water still running, dry your hands using a clean towel and use the towel to turn the faucet off.
Salmonella
Found in: Contaminated eggs, poultry, meat, unpasteurized milk or juice, cheese, contaminated raw fruits and vegetables (alfalfa sprouts, melons), spices, and nuts.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting
Norovirus (Norwalk Virus)
Found in: Produce, shellfish, ready-to-eat foods touched by infected food workers (salads, sandwiches, ice, cookies, fruit), or any other foods contaminated with vomit or feces from an infected person.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea,and stomach pain. Diarrhea tends to be watery and non-bloody. Diarrhea is more common in adults and vomiting is more common in children
E. coli
Found in: Contaminated food, especially undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized (raw) milk and juice, soft cheeses made from raw milk, and raw fruits and vegetables (such as sprouts)
Symptoms: Severe diarrhea that is often bloody, severe abdominal pain, and vomiting. Usually, little or no fever is present.
The Importance of Cleaning and Washing During Food Preparation