Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling

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Food Safety Information

Some types of food poisoning cause death in healthy people. Among these Botulism is the most common. With Botulism it is not the bacteria that causes death but it is the toxins produced by the bacteria that causes death. Botulism only grows in an environment without oxygen, especially canned food. It is important to avoid food cans with bulges in them. The bulges are evidence of bacterial growth.

Symptoms of botulism include double vision, inability to swallow, speech difficulty, and progressive paralysis of the respiratory. Symptoms generally occur between 4 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. Once symptoms occur seek immediate emergency medical treatment.

Some facts about food poisoning:

• Food poisoning symptoms can appear within a few minutes to a few weeks.
  
  
• There are many types of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
  
  
• Food poisoning can be contracted through a cut or other open wound.
  
  
• Bacteria will continue to grow in a refrigerator. Don't keep food refrigerated too long.
  

Check the bacteria chart for some common causes of food poisoning in the United States and the symptoms that they cause.

The lesson learned is food poisoning happens to everybody from time to time. Most of us do not have complete control over the food we eat. Careful shopping and safe handling of food once it comes into our possession. Eating only in restaurants with an "A" rating is a good idea but no guarantee. I don't recall ever see any San Diego restaurant with a rating below "A".

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