A Guide to Prevent Food Poisoning

WHAT IS FOOD POISONING?
Food poisoning is an illness that is acquired by eating contaminated food.

HOW CAN FOOD BECOME CONTAMINATED?

• By using raw ingredients that is contaminated with germs
• Unhygenic food preparation
• Using unhygenic utensil for cooking
• Serving food in an unhygenic way
• Keeping food under improper storage condition

Food is considered contaminated if it contains substance that should not be there

SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach ache and cramping
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in the abdomen

Onset of pain : 2-72 hours after eating or drinking
Period of pain : a few hours to a few days

HOW TO AVOID FOOD POISONING

• Trust Your Sense : three ways to recognize contaminated or spoiled food
  

1. See : texture (slimy), unusual color, look for expiry date and shape
2. Smell : foul smell and stinking
3. Taste : strange taste of spoiled food

• Choose Your Food

1. That it is still hot and fresh
2. That has not been exposed (to flies or other insects)
3. That does not have a foul smell
4. That is not slimy
5. That has not changed colour
6. That does not have sourly taste of spoiled food
7. That is kept in a clean container or stored properly
8. That is handled with clean utensils

• Wash Hand with Soap and Water

1. Before touching the food
2. After going to the toilet
3. After playing outside
4. After touching dirt or contaminated materials

Source : NSTklassifieds : pg. C28 (Thursday, October 7, 2010)