Bacteria food poisoning is accompanied by some number of symptoms. However, the actual food poisoning symptoms includes; Loss of Appetite, Nausea, Vomiting and sometimes Diarrhoea. Food poisoning can be seen as early as four hours after eating contaminated food or twenty-four hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms are seen quickly in younger children than adult, this is due to the fact children have a smaller body mass than adult and therefore are more likely to suffer serious food poisoning symptoms.
There are a number of reasons from which a person may become infected with food poisoning bacteria. These may include;
Inadequate cooling, food left at room temperature.
Too long between preparing the food and consuming it.
Inadequate reheating and cooking
Infected food handlers.
Inadequate hot holding temperature.
Inadequate hand washing.
Contaminated raw foods and ingredients &
Improper cleaning of equipment and utensils.
There is no way to prevent food poisoning after ingestion of contaminated food. The key is to avoid such foods. The best way of treating food poisoning is get rid of contaminated food by vomiting. Although it doesn’t prevent it, but once the body is void of the contaminated food, the food poisoning will be over. Another aspect of treatment is to prevent dehydration. Loos of fluids is serious in food poisoning and thus the fluids intake must be replenished at regular intervals.
Hygiene is the key to prevent food poisoning. There is variety of basic hygiene measure which should be adopted to reduce the risk of bacteria food poisoning. These may include;
Washing hands before and after preparation of food.
Inspecting that all food are washed before preparation.
Separating raw foods and ready to eat foods at all stages or preparation, storage, display and distribution.
Keeping food covered as much as possible.
Preventing insects, animals and birds from entering food rooms.
Not using unsuitable, defected or dirty equipment.
Not coughing or sneezing over or around food.
Cuts and abrasions should be covered with waterproof bandages and if on the hands suitable gloves worn.
Using suitable preservatives such as salting and refrigerating.
Not allowing dried foods to absorb moisture.
Keeping food safe is the first step to a better health. The intension of food safety is to prevent food poisoning and to maintain the wholesomeness of the food product through all stages of processing until it is finally eaten.
The most common symptoms are loss of appetite, vomiting & diarrhoea which may be a life threatening to elderly, sick, infants and those people with weaker immune systems. Sources of infection include inadequate storing and improper cleaning of utensils and equipment and a number of measures such as using clean utensils and storing foods at the right place and time should be adopted to reduce the risk of infections.
BIBLOGRAPHY
http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/food_poisoning.html
