How to minimise the risk of food poisoning
As the world celebrates Food Service Safety Month, here are tips to ensure that you minimise your risk of food poisoning.
An estimated 600-million people – almost 1 in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420,000 die every year, according to the World Health Organization.
Contaminated food can cause foodborne illnesses because of bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances entering the body.
Some of the symptoms that you can suffer from due to food poisoning include:
Upset stomach.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Diarrhea with bloody stools.
Stomach pain and cramps.
Fever.
Headache.
READ: Food poisoning remedies that work
To avoid food poisoning, below are the recommended things you can do:
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds or sanitise.
- Wash or clean utensils you will use such as cutting knives and dishes.
- Do not eat fruit and vegetables without rinsing them under running water.
- Separate the different meat types - raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Don't use the same cutting board for meat, baked goods, and other foods.
- Cover prepared food in a container to avoid exposing it to flies that can carry germs.
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