Around 76 million people in the United States suffer from food-related illnesses each year. Every day, new outbreaks occur. E. coli bacteria situates in undercooked hamburgers or bacteria-laden lettuce; salmonella bacteria are present in raw chicken, eggs, and green onions; and listeria bacteria can lie in soft cheeses and lunch meats. Foodborne disease is a severe issue. However, if you know the facts, you can save yourself from using your health insurance and defend yourself.
Although you come across thousands of different types of bacteria in your daily life, most of them are harmless. When pathogenic bacteria like salmonella, campylobacter, listeria, and E. coli get into our food or water supply, they can cause anything from flu-like symptoms to severe illness and even death.
Three groups of bacteria situate in food:
●Salmonella – They are the top reason for death among foodborne pathogens. Within 12 hours to three days after consuming contaminated food, salmonella infection can cause an increase in your temperature degree, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
●Campylobacter – Most raw poultry meat contains campylobacter, and this infection spreads by raw milk or cheese and polluted water.
●E- Coli – This is a common cause of dehydrating diarrhea in people all over the world. Although most E. coli strains live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this can be fatal, causing bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. This bacteria may be tiny but would dig a hole into your investments if left untreated.
What Foods Cause Illnesses?
1.Eggs
Eggs are nutrient-dense food. They contain 13 vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality protein and antioxidants. Eggs are also delicious, versatile, and cost-effective, making them a great addition to a well-balanced diet. However, if eggs are not handled, processed, or cooked correctly, they can pose a significant degree of risk.
Bacteria may be present in eggs, causing severe food poisoning. To eat eggs safely, buy clean, uncracked eggs that are still inside their “best before” date, store them in their container in the fridge, and cook them until they are hot all the way through. If you obey these simple food safety guidelines, it will reduce the chances of you or your family becoming sick.
2.Unpasteurized Dairy
Pasteurization is the process of killing harmful microorganisms by heating a liquid or food. Milk that hasn’t been pasteurized or heat-treated to kill bacteria, whether it’s labeled “fresh” or “raw,” hasn’t been pasteurized or heat-treated. That means dangerous bacterias may be present.
While not everyone who consumes raw milk will become ill, it poses a “high risk” because these bacteria cause the usual symptoms of food poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. People may also develop flu-like symptoms such as aches and fevers. Purchase only pasteurized dairy to reduce the risk of food poisoning from unpasteurized dairy. We should store all dairy at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and throw any dairy that has passed its use-by date.
3.Raw Meat (Chicken, Pork, Meat, and Turkey)
You may get sick from eating undercooked pork or cutting boards, countertops, or utensils that have come into contact with raw meat. Pork must be heated to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit and rested for at least 3 minutes before serving.
Fresh and undercooked poultry, such as chicken, duck, and turkey, are also popular sources of food poisoning. This illness is due to two forms of bacteria present in the guts and feathers of these birds. The good news is that while these bacteria can survive on raw poultry, we can get them killed by cooking meat thoroughly. To minimize your risk, make sure poultry meat is fully cooked through, don’t wash raw meat, and keep raw meat away from utensils, kitchen surfaces, chopping boards, and other foods, as this can lead to cross-contamination.
4.Fish and Shellfish
Fish and shellfish often cause food poisoning. Standard temperature degrees do not kill their toxins, resulting in food poisoning known as scombroid poisoning. It induces nausea, wheezing, and swelling of the face and tongue.
Shellfish such as clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops also contribute to food poisoning. Toxins produced by algae eaten by shellfish can build up in the flesh of the shellfish, posing a risk to humans who eat the shellfish. Purchase store-bought seafood and keep it chilled and refrigerated before cooking to reduce your risk. Cook clams, mussels, and oysters before the shells open and cook the fish correctly.
5.Vegetables
While vegetables are an essential component of your health investments, they are also a common cause of food poisoning, especially when consumed raw. In reality, fruits and vegetables, especially lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and tomatoes, have been linked to several food poisoning outbreaks.
Since we often consume leafy vegetables raw, they are particularly dangerous. Thoroughly wash salad leaves before eating to reduce the risk. Avoid pre-prepared salads left to sit at room temperature and avoid buying bags of salad mix containing mushy leaves.
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