Healthy Homes - Healthy Kids: Food Safety

Food Safety is what you do to prevent illnesses caused by bacteria (germs) that may be in or on the food you eat. Common bacteria are: Salmonella, E.coli 0157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria moncytogenes

SALMONELLA

What is salmonella?
A bacteria (germ) that can’t be seen, touched or tasted and is found in the intestinal tract and feces of animals.

What is salmonella poisoning?
Poisoning that may happen when someone drinks unpasteurized milk, eats salad dressing or desserts containing raw eggs or eats undercooked chicken and eggs.

What happens when someone is poisoned by salmonella?
stomach pain , diarrhea , chills , fever , headache

Where is salmonella found in your food supply?
raw meat , poultry , fish , eggs , unpasteurized milk

What should you do to avoid salmonella poisoning?

• Wash your hands before and after handling food
• Clean utensils, tables, counter tops and cuttings boards with 1 teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach added to 1 quart of water after preparing meat and poultry.
• Thoroughly cook all meat.

Did you know?
Bacteria can multiply fast between temperatures of 40° F and 140° F. This is called THE DANGER ZONE

E.coli 0157:H7

What is E.coli 0157:H7?
It is a bacteria often found in cattle feces, raw milk and unclean water

What is E.coli 0157:H7 poisoning?
Poisoning that may happen when you drink contaminated water, raw milk, unpasteurized apple juice or cider, eat raw or rare meat or uncooked fruits and vegetables

What happens when someone is poisoned by E.coli 0157:H7?
diarrhea (often bloody) , stomach cramps , vomiting , urinary tract and kidney infections

Where is E.coli.0517: H7 found in your food supply?
Unpasteurized milk or some juices , Raw or undercooked ground beef, Fresh fruits and vegetables

What should you do to avoid E.coli 0157 poisoning?

• Cook hamburgers to 160º F (medium doneness) until the center is no longer pink and meat juices run clear.
• Buy only pasteurized dairy products as stated on the label (pasteurizing kills bacteria).

Did you know?

• You should refrigerate all leftover foods immediately after eating
• It is important to keep foods containing mayonaise cold until ready to eat
• Foods left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours may not be safe to eat
• Wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them

STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus

What is Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)?
It is a bacteria that may be found on human (skin, infected cuts, pimples, noses and throats) that multiplies at room temperature and produces a poisonous toxin that causes sickness.

What is staphylococcus aureus poisoning?
Poisoning that may happen when the Staph bacteria is transferred to the food you fix before washing your hands.

What happens when someone is poisoned by staphylococcus aureus?
nausea , vomiting , stomach cramps , pain, redness and swelling in an abscess

Where can staphylococcus aureus be found in your food supply?
Meat , poultry , cheese , salads (egg, tuna, chicken, potato and pasta) , cream pies , custards and any food contacted by coughing, sneezing or prepared with unwashed hands

What should you do to avoid staphylococcus aureus poisoning?

• Wash hands before and after preparing food
• Clean utensils and all surfaces that come in contact with food

Did you know?
Infections with Staphylococcus aureus can be treated with common antibiotics.

LISTERIA monocytogenes

What is Listeria monocytogenes?
It is a kind of bacteria often found in soil and water, and the gut of humans and animals.

What is Listeria monocyogenes poisoning?
Poisoning that may happen when you eat foods containing this bacteria

What happens when someone is poisoned by Listeria monocyogenes?
fever and chills , upset stomach , headache , stiff neck , loss of balance , convulsions can occur

Where can Listeria monocyogenes found in your food supply?
Ready-to-eat foods such as: , hot dogs , luncheon meats , fermented or dry sausages , deli-style meat and poultry , soft cheeses

What should you do to avoid Listeria monocyogenes poisoning?

• Always wash hands, cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw or ready-to-eat food that requires additional heating
• Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods that do not need extra cooking
• Refrigerate or freeze all foods that may spoil within 2 hours of cooking or buying it.

Did you know?
You can get more food safety information by calling…
USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-800-535-4555
Food Safety Education Office (202) 720-7943
Media Inquires (202) 720-9113

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