Food Safety Precautions-Food Poisoning Prevention

Food poisoning also referred to as food borne illness, is very common an indeed is preventable. Basic food safety habits that will go a long way in preventing your family from getting food borne illness. As you prepare your children’s and family’s food, even purées for young babies, it is important to understand how to prevent food borne illness, which can be dangerous for all members of your family, but especially to babies and young children. Food borne illness is caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverage. Most food borne illnesses are caused by microscopic, disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, bacteria are the leading cause of food borne illnesses.

Some types of bacteria grow in food and in your digestive system once you eat the contaminated food. Salmonella is a common example of this type of bacteria. It is most often found in poultry, pork, water, and unpasteurized milk. Other types of bacteria produce toxins. E. Coli (Escherichia coli) is an example of bacteria that can produce toxins. Some toxins can lead to severe and fatal illness.

Food borne Illnesses Prevention:

• Wash your hands very well:

• Encourage frequent hand washing among all family members.
• Cook and reheat foods very well, to 74º C (165º F) or higher.
• Refrigerate foods promptly at 4º C (40º F) or lower.
• Freeze foods properly at minus 18º C (0º F) or lower.
• Keep your kitchen clean by washing counters, cutting boards, knives, and other equipment after each meal.
• Sanitize counters, cutting boards, knives, and other equipment with a mild bleach solution.
• To prevent infant botulism, a very dangerous infection, do not give honey to babies less than one year of age.
• Do not use or consume unpasteurized milk or milk products.