How to Avoid Food Poisoning This Summer | DocIndia.org

Food poisoning can be caused by eating contaminated food. Food got contaminated because of many reasons, such as if it is cooked incorrectly, handled unhygienically or stored in inappropriate places. And because of this, bacteria and toxins occur on the food, resulting in contamination of food. These bacteria are called pathogens. During summers, we more often get indulged in outdoor foods and drinks. The growth of bacteria in food is higher in summers because of heat and moisture, and that can lead to food poisoning. Food poisoning can also be caused by bacteria grown in our kitchen if not cleaned properly.

Before dwelling on the ways of preventing food poisoning, you must know the causes of food poisoning and what is causing food poisoning. It is important to know before eating any food. It will help us to avoid those foods during summers, and we can save ourselves from food poisoning.

Common Foods that cause Food Poisoning

Uncooked food and unhygienic foods are the reasons for food poisoning, but some foods can catch bacteria and toxins faster, and as a result, food gets poisoned. Some of the common foods eaten in summer that can cause food poisoning are given below.

- Meat, such as raw and undercooked meat, casseroles, curries and lasagna

- Eggs and egg products

- Seafoods such as seafood salad, shellfish, and seafood stews.

- Unpasteurized milk

- Other dairy products such as cheesecake, dairy based desserts and custard

- Outside foods such as fast foods, sandwiches, patties, rolls, pasta and pizza

- Untreated water

- Outdoor foods under the sun – hot weather can cause bacteria to grow faster.

- Improper handling of raw food

- Undercooked food and more.

Ways to prevent food poisoning

Preventing food poisoning is not just a summer thing; you should always take care of the food you are eating – is that hygienic or not, is that prepared safely or not, and more? Even the water you drink can also have a chance of being contaminated if untreated, so it's better to use filtered water and avoid food poisoning in the first place. “Prevention is always better than cure.” By taking care of the things given below to avoid food poisoning during summer, you will be able to live a better, illness-free summer life.

1.Take care of hygiene:

Washing hands can be the biggest reason to prevent food poisoning. You should always wash your hands after using the toilet, smoking, blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, and touching animals. Personal hygiene is very important to protect you from illness-causing bacteria, not only food poisoning but also other diseases. Food should always be handled with clean hands. It is a must to use soap and water or hand wash to clean bacteria and dirt from your hands. Washing hands is not enough to keep hygienic; you also need to wash the utensils before using them.

2.Prepare Food Safely

Before preparing any food, it is important to wash your hands properly to avoid food poisoning. Always prepare food with safety and store it at a proper temperature so that bacteria and toxins cannot develop and food remains clean. Use soapy water and good handwash to wash your hands. After touching some foods such as eggs, meat and fish, wash hands thoroughly. Always wash fruits and vegetables properly before eating. Use clean utensils, cutlery, knives and cutting boards to prevent bacteria. Wash utensils using dish soap or bleach. It will sanitize your utensils properly. Cook food at the right time before eating so that food does not get poisoned. Try to keep meat, poultry and seafood in separate dishes.

3.Eat Right Food

Eating food that’s hygienic and properly cooked is important to avoid food poisoning. Do not eat any food made from unpasteurized milk, raw or undercooked eggs, poultry and meat. Avoid food from outside, such as from road corners, or ready-made packed food like sandwiches.

4.Store food Properly

While storing food, always check food first, if it’s okay or not. Refrigerate raw and cooked foods; do not let them out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, as they will start to develop. Set it at the recommended temperature to avoid any harm to food. Other food is also needed to refrigerate, such as fruits, vegetables, cooked foods, and prepared foods. You also need mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressings and foods that include them. Do not take any food that is left outside for long and it starts smelling weird.

5.Serve Food at Right Temperature

Some foods are eaten hot, while other foods are eaten cold or chilled. It's crucial to eat food at their original temperature. Food such as dairy products chocolate cake and other freeze Packed or unpacked products should be eaten as soon as they are taken out of the refrigerator; do not keep them out in the heat for more than an hour. Other foods, such as soup and hot meals, should be served hot to avoid bacterial growth.

6.Water Safety

During summer, water activities also get increased, and it's important to be cautious about water safety. So, drinking untreated water and making food with unclean water can lead to foodborne illnesses. You can prevent illnesses caused by untreated water by drinking bottled or purified water. Avoid stagnant water from places like swimming pools, lakes, rivers or water parks.

7.Avoid Risky Foods

Whatever we are taking into a diet should be hygienic and cooked properly. Many foods can cause foodborne illnesses during summers. Some foods, such as raw foods and undercooked foods. foods from Street vendors or food trucks are considered very unhygienic and not handled properly; it would be good to avoid those foods to prevent the risk of food poisoning

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning symptoms can be seen within an hour or more because food poisoning bacteria can multiply very quickly. And when you already have some conditions such as chronic illness, pregnancy, and others, then you have more risk of food poisoning. Young children and older adults could also get sick quickly because of food poisoning. These symptoms can vary from person to person and can last from 24 hours to 5 days. Some of the common symptoms are given below:

- Vomiting

- Nausea

- Belly cramps

- Watery and bloody Diarrhea

- Headache

- Fever

- Bloating and gas

What to Do When I Have Food Poisoning?

If you get food poisoning, you must experience the above-given symptoms. So, in this case, you need to stop eating any heavy foods and consult your practitioner as soon as possible to get treated and avoid more problems; you will get sicker. You will also go through some lab tests to find out what bacteria causes illness.

Initially, food poisoning cannot happen severely; you may feel like you have stomach flu. You may also experience diarrhea or vomiting that causes dehydration. To tackle this issue, you need to get hydrated and drink more and more water and electrolyte drinks that keep you hydrated. If the case gets severe, then it is recommended to consult your doctor to get the right treatment. They will provide you with some medications.

Summer is a season of fun, but also it comes with many precautions. Precautions to avoid illnesses such as foodborne illnesses, skin allergies, heat stroke and others. Here the focus is on food-borne illnesses. By following the above sayings of food prevention tips, avoiding food poisoning in the first place, and tips to handle food poisoning, you will be able to overcome and protect yourself from food illnesses. By taking care of food hygiene and many other rays, you can minimize the risk of food poisoning and you will be able to enjoy your summer as much as you want to.