Food poisoning is horrible and even potentially life-threatening if not treated well. Every year, thousands of people report food poisoning, and many also succumb to the disease.
While there are a lot of food poisoning causes and preventive measures, not many people are aware of them or just ignore the information at times. Hand washing, for instance, has always been taken for granted by people. Instead of washing hands with soap or Dettol Hand Wash, they just use water and get the job done. This develops a chance for bacteria and virus to enter the body and cause infection. Some other preventive measures also take the back seat in our day-to-day lives.
Here are the top 10 foods that can also lead to food poisoning if not handled well. Take a look:
1. Poultry
Raw and undercooked products like chicken, turkey, or duck are among the top food poisoning causes. Bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella contaminate fresh poultry meat and can survive until the meat is cooked. To reduce the risk of food poisoning, cook the meat properly. Moreover, do wash your hand with Dettol Hand Wash while handling the meat to stay safe.
2. Eggs
You would never have thought that your breakfast favorite can give you food poisoning. However, it’s true under some conditions. Salmonella – a food poisoning bacteria – can be present inside the egg and if not cooked properly, can affect your immune system. Thus, you should avoid eating raw eggs and also refrigerate them before cooking.
3. Raw Milk
As it hasn’t been heated to destroy any harmful bacteria, raw milk increases the chances of food poisoning upon consumption. Therefore avoid it, especially if you are pregnant or have weak immunity.
4. Cheese
Staphylococcus aureus is a dreadful bacteria present in cheese that makes this yummy food a bane in disguise. In simple words, avoid eating cheese of all types to reduce your risk of food poisoning. And, in case you do consume it, make sure it’s stored at or under 5°C. Also, thoroughly wash your hands before handling the cheese and clean the utensils too.
5. Seafood
Fish, oysters, and shellfish contain different types of toxic substances that can infect your body, if not handled properly. This is why people are often advised to keep seafood products in a refrigerator before preparing them. Moreover, they should also cook them at 145°F and wash their hands properly with Dettol Hand Wash to avoid the transfer of bacteria.
6. Deli Meat
These are highly processed and include ham, hot dogs, bacon, and salami. As they are often eaten uncooked, hygienic storage is a must to avoid harmful bacteria like Listeria and Staphylococcus aureus. To keep the risk of food poisoning at bay, keep deli meat in the fridge and cook it thoroughly.
7. Fruits
The risk needle of food poisoning now shifts to the ‘green’ world. A number of fruits, especially berries and watermelons are often linked with food poisoning. The cause of their contamination can vary from being grown in contaminated water to poor handling during the processing. The best means to protect yourself is to wash the fruits properly and store them into the fridge when not in use.
8. Leafy Vegetables
“But, aren’t they good for health?” This question must have popped up in your mind after reading leafy vegetables in this list. No doubt your concern is true, but it is also an undeniable fact that green and leafy vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach are among common food poisoning causes.
Since such vegetables are often covered with insecticides and are handled in unhygienic conditions, they can contain harmful bacteria when you purchase them. If later, you don’t clean them properly or cook them in unclean conditions, they can cause food poisoning.
9. Rice
Uncooked rice can have spores of Bacillus ceres that can lead to food poisoning. These bacteria can stay in the rice in dry conditions and can also survive the cooking process. To reduce the risk, eat rice as soon as it is cooked and refrigerate the remaining.
10. Sprouts
Due to the presence of Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria; raw sprouts can cause food poisoning. They can be alfalfa, mung bean, sunflower, and clover sprouts. An effective way to consume sprouts while reducing food poisoning risk is by cooking them properly.
Read it all? Well, we’re sure you must be surprised at the revelation that even fruits and veggies can cause food poisoning. But then again, we have also informed you about the preventive measures. Take special care while handling these food items, cook them properly, and ensure a healthy you.