Have you been suffering from stomachache? Or is your head paining and you feel like you want to vomit? Be careful, you might have been poisoned.
Food poisoning can make you feel miserable for hours or days. Food poisoning is caused by ingesting food or drinks which is contaminated with bacteria. It also can be caused by dangerous chemicals in food or drinks we consume.
SEVEN TIPS FOR AVOIDING FOOD POISONING
1. Always wash your hands.
The single most effective way to avoid food poisoning is to wash your hands before preparing or eating food. Whether you are the chef or guest, it is crucial that your hands are spotless.
2. Wash your produce.
Don't trust the store to remove chemicals from your fruit and vegetables. Many people handle your produce before you consume it. Surprisingly, the salad bar in a restaurant is a common source of food poisoning.
3. Handle raw meat with care.
Make sure not to contaminate other food with uncooked meat. Wash utensils that have come into contact with raw meat carefully.
4. Sanitize your chopping boards.
Keep separate your cutting boards from meat and veggies. Sanitize your cutting boards. Wash them with bleach and hot water or put them in dishwasher.
5. Invest in a meat thermometer.
Different types of meat require different types of cooking temperature. Most people don't know what a turkey should be cooked to. A meat thermometer help you cook meat so that it is safe to eat.
6. Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
Bacteria develops quickly when food is placed at room temperature. This is why buffets can be dangerous. Food that can spoil should be kept hot or cold.
7. If in doubt, throw it out.
Does the meat smell funny? Does the cheese look usual? When it comes to food, trust your instincts. And always check "best before" dates!
Did you know...
Contrary to popular belief, wooden cutting boards are safer than plastic ones. Studies show that bacteria dies faster on wood than on plastic.
