The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that, “Every year, an estimated 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from eating contaminated food.” As families prepare their turkeys, hams, cheeses, vegetables, and varied feasts this holiday season, it is vital to bear in mind proper hygienic practices to prevent food borne illnesses.
The United States Department of Health & Human Services suggests the following four steps to food safety:
- Clean – Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces often.
- Separate – Do not cross-contaminate- use separate cutting boards & plates for produce, meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. Always keep certain types of foods like raw meat and poultry from other foods.
- Cook to the right temperature – Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs that can make you sick. Keep food hot after cooking. Microwave thoroughly.
- Chill – Refrigerate and freeze food properly.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning according to the CDC are:
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
See your healthcare provider if your symptoms are severe or if you are also experiencing bloody stools, a high fever, frequent vomiting, signs of dehydration, and diarrhea lasting more than 3 days. You may walk-in to any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, or you may schedule an appointment by visiting our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html
https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/4-steps-to-food-safety
https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/education-month.html