With the holiday season fast approaching, California
Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Ron
Chapman today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food handling to
prevent foodborne illness.
“Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and others can be
present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to
insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices,”
Chapman said. “Properly prepared and handled foods can assure us all a
safe meal every day of the year.”
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths
annually in the United
States are related to foodborne diseases.
Foodborne diseases can be prevented by simple safety steps
in the kitchen. Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after food
preparation, and especially after handling raw foods. Clean all work surfaces,
utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water after each
use. Be sure to cook foods thoroughly and to refrigerate adequately between
meals. Consumers can find more information about food
safety tips on the CDPH’s website.
Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination usually occurs as a result of poor food handling practices at the farms, factories, restaurants or homes.
Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination usually occurs as a result of poor food handling practices at the farms, factories, restaurants or homes.
Symptoms of foodborne disease include fever, abdominal
cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody. Most infected people recover from
foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications
that require hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and
persons with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for potentially
life-threatening complications.
Additional resources for information on food safety include
the Federal Food and Drug Administration Food Information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD
(1-888-723-3366) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry
Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Consumers can also access the
national Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC” (bacteria) Web page.