Food Safety Education Month

September is Food Safety Education Month. It is estimated that there are around 48 million cases of foodborne illness or “food poisoning” each year. That’s approximately 1 in 6 Americans getting sick from food poisoning every year. However, there are simple food safety tips you can follow to help lower your chances of getting sick.

Cross-contamination is often the cause of foodborne illnesses. Cross-contamination occurs when certain foods such as raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs spread germs to other ready-to-eat foods such as salads or foods that are already cooked. These germs can make people sick and may even lead to hospitalizations or death in severe cases.

A few steps to follow to avoid cross-contamination include:

(1) Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from other foods in your shopping cart and refrigerator. (2) Use different cutting boards and plates, one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood, and a different one for ready-to-eat foods. (3) If you only have one cutting board, prepare your ready-to-eat foods first, then wash the board with soap and hot water before using again. (4) Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water after touching raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs. (5) Wash your utensils, cutting boards, and countertops with hot, soapy water. (6) Refrigerate leftovers, or if it has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours- throw it away.

An easy way to remember these tips are four simple steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

It is also important to keep food safety in mind when going out to eat. You can protect yourself from food poisoning by checking a restaurant’s inspection score, making sure that food has been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill germs, and eating leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Remember, hot food should be served hot and cold food should be served cold. If you think you got sick from food, report it to your local health department.

Anyone can get food poisoning, but some people are more likely to get sick. Individuals with a higher risk of food poisoning include: adults 65 years and older, children under 5 years, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. By choosing and preparing food carefully you can decrease the risk of food poisoning. Common symptoms of food poisoning include: upset stomach, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It can take hours or days to develop symptoms after you swallow unsafe food or drink. If you experience symptoms of food poisoning, drink plenty of fluids and see a doctor if symptoms become severe.

Remember, for a safe plate, don’t cross-contaminate! Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community

The information for this article came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/education-month.html .