Protecting Yourself from Foodborne Illnesses

Millions of people contract foodborne illnesses and food poisoning each year, and hundreds of thousands of victims suffer serious complications requiring medical attention and hospitalization. Unfortunately, food processors and manufacturers often produce foods that do not meet the highest standards of quality and safety. When these foods are distributed to consumers there is serious threat to the public’s well being and health. Since many food manufacturers and processors are incapable of consistently providing disease and pathogen free food, the general public can follow some simple safety tips to help protect you and your family from foodborne illness.

• Keep your hands clean. Wash with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. Wash your hands before eating, and always wash after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.
• Keep foods refrigerated to slow the growth of bacteria. Keeping the temperature in your refrigerator below 40 degrees F is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Keep surfaces clean. Harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses thrive at room temperatures, so it’s important to keep the area where you prepare food sanitary. Clean and disinfect kitchen counters before and after preparing food, particularly meat and poultry. Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops after preparing each food item and before preparing the next.
• Use one cutting board for meat and another for veggies and fresh fruit. Clean and disinfect the surfaces after each use.
• When grilling or cooking, never put cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or eggs. Don’t allow juices from raw meat or poultry to drip onto other foods in the refrigerator or in a grocery bag. Don’t recycle marinades that were used on raw meat unless boiled first.
• Check the internal temperature. Bacteria multiply rapidly from 40 degrees F to 140 degrees F. Cook meats and other foods at the proper temperature. The safe temperature varies by food, and the only way to know for sure that food is done is to use a food thermometer. Here’s what the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends:
  • Steaks & Roasts – 145 degrees F;
  • Fish – 145 degrees F;
  • Pork – 160 degrees F;
  • Ground Beef – 160 degrees F;
  • Egg Dishes – 160 degrees F;
  • Chicken Breasts – 165 degrees F; and
  • Whole Poultry – 165 degrees F.

These safety suggestions can be helpful at controlling the cross contamination threats posed by a contaminated food product, but the only way to assure you are safe from foodborne illness is to never have a contaminated food product introduced into your home in the first place.

> Read more about Dangerous Foods.

According to the CDC, the responsibility of food safety does not rest in the hands of the consumer. Quoting the CDC’s website,” In the end, it is up to the consumer to demand a safe food supply; up to industry to produce it; up to researchers to develop better ways of doing so; and up to government to see that it happens, to make sure it works and to identify problems still in need of solutions.”

If you or a loved one has gotten seriously ill from eating contaminated food at home or elsewhere, contact the food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your situation. We have helped many people get their lives back on track after serious personal injuries, including foodborne illness clients in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and across the country. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.

The foodborne illness attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. We can help you get the money you need to pay your medical bills and other expenses. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.