Knowing All The Imformation Needed To Know About Having These Illnesses.
Are You Wondering What's Food Borne Illnesses?
- Foodborne illness is an infection or irritation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by food or beverages that contain harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, or chemicals. Common symptoms of foodborne illness include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and chills.
They Can Also Include:
What causes foodborne illness?
The majority of foodborne illness is caused by certain strains of bacteria and viruses. Parasites and chemicals may also cause foodborne illness.
Bacteria
Harmful bacteria may already be present in foods when they are purchased. Raw foods including meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, eggs, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and fresh produce often contain bacteria that cause foodborne illness. This contamination can occur at any time during growth, harvesting or slaughter, processing, storage, and shipping of food.
Foods may also be contaminated with bacteria during food preparation in a restaurant or home kitchen. If hands, kitchen utensils, cutting boards, and other kitchen surfaces that come into contact with raw food are not washed, cross-contamination may occur.
When food is stored incorrectly, it gives bacteria the opportunity to multiply; room temperature (between 40 and 140F) is an ideal condition for bacteria to grow. Refrigerated food items should be kept at 40F or below, while hot foods should be kept at 140F or above. Refrigeration can prevent bacteria from growing, and freezing food can further slow or even stop this growth. However, bacteria in refrigerated or frozen foods become active again when food is brought to room temperature, so these foods should be thoroughly cooked to kill any harmful bacteria.
Viruses
Viruses that cause foodborne illness can be spread by the stool and vomit of those already infected. Infected persons may contaminate food and drinks if proper hygiene is not adhered to during food preparation. Viruses can also be spread through the use and/or ingestion of contaminated water or by ingestion of fish or shellfish grown in contaminated water.
Parasites
Parasites are spread through water that has been contaminated with the stools of infected animals or humans. Infected persons may contaminate food and drinks if proper hygiene is not adhered to during food preparation. Additionally, foods that come into contact with contaminated water during growth or preparation can become contaminated with these parasites.
Chemicals
Fish or shellfish may feed on algae that produce toxins, leading to high concentrations of these toxins in their flesh. Some types of fish may be contaminated with bacteria that produce toxins if they are not properly refrigerated before they are cooked or served. Certain types of wild mushrooms also contain poisonous compounds. In addition, unwashed fruits and vegetables can contain high concentrations of pesticides.