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How do I Prevent Food Poisoning?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Many incidents of food poisoning or food borne illness can be traced back to a handful of causes: handling, storage or contamination. In order to prevent food poisoning, it is often important to address at least two of those three issues. The reason several dozen people fall ill at a catered wedding reception, for example, can be completely different from the reason a young child experiences severe intestinal problems after eating a contaminated hamburger. Some triggers of food poisoning are bacterial or viral in nature, while others are more the result of poor food handling or improper storage. Some victims may recover within a few days, but others may develop very serious medical conditions and could even die without proper treatment.

One way to prevent food poisoning is to only deal with reputable food vendors, especially when ordering raw vegetables, fruits or meats. Food borne illnesses such as e. coli or salmonella are often caused by foods contaminated with infected fecal matter or bacteria. This is why the proper cleaning of raw eggs, fruits and vegetables is critical. The contaminants are often found on the surface of the food, most likely as a result of contact with fertilizers containing manure or the hands of unsanitary farm workers. Simply washing off the visible surface dirt from raw fruits and vegetables is not always sufficient to prevent food poisoning. Foods which have been in direct contact with dirt or fertilizers should be scrubbed thoroughly before use.

A Salmonella bacterium, a common cause of food poisoning.
A Salmonella bacterium, a common cause of food poisoning.

Another technique for reducing the chances of food poisoning is the avoidance of cross-contamination. Bacterial food poisoning is often caused whenever the same cutting board used to process raw vegetables, fruits or meats is used to process cooked foods before serving. Raw chicken or beef, for example, can leave traces of bacterial contamination on the cutting board, so any cooked food sliced on that same board would contain high levels of bacteria which have not been destroyed through heating. Separate cutting boards and other food preparation areas should be set up for raw and cooked foods. Cutting boards should be routinely disinfected with bleach or other bacteria-killing chemicals and thoroughly dried before they are used again for food preparation.

Foods that include mayonnaise can go bad quickly if they are left unrefrigerated.
Foods that include mayonnaise can go bad quickly if they are left unrefrigerated.

Food stored in damaged or open containers should also be examined before use, and any questionable products should be discarded immediately. Bulging cans are often a sign that the product inside has been compromised by bacteria or other contaminants. Uncovered food products can also become breeding areas for any mold spores or germs which happen to be floating around in the environment. Dented food cans may be more affordable than undamaged ones, but if the seal between the food and the outside environment has been broken, the food inside the can could cause food poisoning, especially botulism.

An improperly cooked cheeseburger could give a diner food poisoning.
An improperly cooked cheeseburger could give a diner food poisoning.

Holding food at a proper temperature is also a good way to prevent food poisoning. Products containing raw ingredients such as mayonnaise or milk can become hazardous within a few hours if not kept cool, and raw meats can become dangerous if kept at room temperature for too long. If a food product needs to be prepared at room temperature, it should be returned to a refrigerator or kept in a hot container as soon as possible.

Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.

In general, the best way to prevent food poisoning is to adopt a "when in doubt, throw it out" policy and maintain it. Contaminated foods often present visual and scent cues which should make a food server very concerned about their safety. If a food product smells spoiled or "off," it should not be served. If a food has an unnaturally tangy flavor or creates a tingling sensation in the mouth, it is probably not safe to serve. Visible mold or discoloration should also be interpreted as questionable.

Raw eggs can contain bacteria, so anyone handling them should wash their hands thoroughly.
Raw eggs can contain bacteria, so anyone handling them should wash their hands thoroughly.

For certain raw meats, such as chicken or beef, the preparer should be able to snap his or her fingers after sliding a single finger across the surface of the meat. If raw meat has been contaminated with harmful bacteria, the preparer's fingers will most likely have a very slick coating. Many experienced food handlers also have other ways to test for potential food contamination, and most professional restaurant managers carry instant thermometers which can detect any food temperature problems.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon126451

Very helpful. I found some tuna cans that have rust on them - a little; fed some tuna to my dog tonight - the expiration isn't until next year and the can seemed fine. Would you throw out the rest or just check them as you wanted to use them?

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    • A Salmonella bacterium, a common cause of food poisoning.
      By: Lyuba Bunakova
      A Salmonella bacterium, a common cause of food poisoning.
    • Foods that include mayonnaise can go bad quickly if they are left unrefrigerated.
      By: Alexandra
      Foods that include mayonnaise can go bad quickly if they are left unrefrigerated.
    • An improperly cooked cheeseburger could give a diner food poisoning.
      By: Gena
      An improperly cooked cheeseburger could give a diner food poisoning.
    • Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
      By: elnariz
      Caesar salad dressing contains raw eggs, so could be contaminated by salmonella.
    • Raw eggs can contain bacteria, so anyone handling them should wash their hands thoroughly.
      By: CrackerClips
      Raw eggs can contain bacteria, so anyone handling them should wash their hands thoroughly.
    • Separate cutting boards should be used for cooked and raw foods to prevent food poisoning from the transfer of bacteria.
      By: kornienko
      Separate cutting boards should be used for cooked and raw foods to prevent food poisoning from the transfer of bacteria.
    • Cooking meat to the proper temperature will help prevent food poisoning.
      By: sumnersgraphicsinc
      Cooking meat to the proper temperature will help prevent food poisoning.
    • Moldy produce should be discarded to prevent food poisoning.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Moldy produce should be discarded to prevent food poisoning.
    • Cutting boards need to be sanitized with bleach to remove bacteria.
      By: design56
      Cutting boards need to be sanitized with bleach to remove bacteria.
    • Inspecting canned goods to make sure they are properly sealed can help prevent food poisoning.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Inspecting canned goods to make sure they are properly sealed can help prevent food poisoning.
    • If a food product smells spoiled or off, it should not be served.
      By: Syda Productions
      If a food product smells spoiled or off, it should not be served.
    • Food handling, storage and contamination are the most common causes of food poisoning.
      By: Spectral-Design
      Food handling, storage and contamination are the most common causes of food poisoning.
    • Eating at reputable establishments is a good way to avoid food poisoning.
      By: Demian
      Eating at reputable establishments is a good way to avoid food poisoning.