Monday, 27 June 2011

Types of food-borne diseases

We need food to survive. Different foods provide us with different forms of vitamins and minerals that our body needs to function, with a well-rounded diet fulfilling the whole spectrum of nutritional needs. However, most people cannot tend gardens or farms to provide all the food they need for themselves. Most Americans depend on supermarkets and restaurants for the food they need. This also puts the confidence in the food industry in delivering products that are free of food-borne diseases.


Food can become contaminated during different stages of cultivation, handling and preparation. If food is grown in soil or water that is contaminated with fecal matter, bacteria, or viruses that can absorb these dangers as it grows. If it is handled in a way that allows it to come into contact with these dangers, it can lead to infections agents on its outer layer. Finally, when the food is prepared, it should be clean and free of raw animal products like raw meat.


Because of the many ways in which foods may become contaminated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food poisoning results in diseases around 76 million annually. So, next time you have a sore stomach, chances are that is poisoning, instead of a stomach flu.


Your food can absorb different viruses, parasites and bacteria that can cause you to suffer symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Viruses that can result in food poisoning include rotavirus, norovirus and hepatitis a. parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium may also cause you to suffer things like diarrhea and vomiting. There are many different types of bacteria that can cause food-borne diseases, such as:


-Salmonella
-E. coli
-Campylobacter
-Botulism
-Shigella


While many types of food-borne diseases leave your system after a few days to a few weeks, causing nothing more than a stomachache and watery stools, some may last much longer and cause symptoms much more dangerous. For example, botulism affects the nervous system resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision, weakness and inability to move the arms and legs.


Severe poisoning can cause you to miss work and even go to the hospital to help him recover. This can result in lost wages, as well as high medical bills.


You can still learn more on www.health.com  and  http://www.healthfinder.gov/

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

What do you do to prevent infecting his fresco of e. Coli might produce?

If you've been watching the news lately, then you're aware of the number of articles and stories that came out touting the importance of fruits and vegetables to help slow the aging process and reduce health risks.


Very you are also probably aware that fresh produce has been the culprit in several food borne diseases. Began with spinach, tomatoes, and lettuce now believed to have affected the industry had some health challenges over the past few months and many people are wondering why there has been this dramatic increase of outbreaks related to food borne illness.


What factors led to this increase


Several factors are at play here. In the first place, there was an increase in consumption of fresh produce over the past few years creating the need for more products and production facilities. As the general public has changed his eating habits to incorporate more fresh produce for its health benefits, the increase in meet this demand has exposed some potential supply problems.


Fresh products, the second presents a special challenge of food security because it is intended to be consumed raw. Unlike meat, which can get rid of the bacteria through adequate cooking, raw product has no "kill" to protect the consumer.


Thirdly, we have an ageing population which is more susceptible to disease because their immune systems are depressed. Sad but true. Our heavy use of drugs, antibiotics, food processing and carbonated beverages all took a toll on our body's ability to defend themselves.


Fourth, there is a confusing patchwork of federal and State regulations. Meat products and journal are regulated by the Department of agriculture, but the safety of fruits and vegetables are the responsibility of the food and drug administration and the Member States. Unfortunately, they only have jurisdiction over the processing plants. Food security at the farm level is self-regulating. And, if the fresh produce comes directly from the farm there is no guideline for tests. With more than 12000 production facilities and only about 3400 inspections planned by the FDA, you can begin to see the potential holes in the system to allow food borne diseases affect the consumer.


Thanks for the excuse to go back to eating greasy burgers and fries!


No, that is not the solution because you could so easily get it lettuce and tomato on his hamburger. In 1970, Americans spent roughly $ 6 billion in fast foods and until the year 2000, which had grown to over $ 110 billion. As well as our spending has grown so have our waistlines and all matters arising from health as diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity. Disease related to obesity now exceed those of cigarette smoke. Then please do not stop eating your vegetables? Just a few stepsprecautionary as:


1. always wash your vegetables and fruits. Don't assume that they come to you clean.


2. don't forget the vegetables that are frozen as peas, cut green beans and broccoli. They are a good choice, too.


If something doesn't like on the first bite then don't eat the rest of IT. If you're at home, then toss it out. If you're in a restaurant, then ask the server to replace him.


4. adopting measures to boost your immune system naturally. Supplement your diet with vitamin c and e, beta-carotene, and certain minerals and amino acids that will help boost your immune system.


5. Be proactive in your health. Many people today is the Government's work, manufacturer, producer, etc. to watch over us and take care of us. President Reagan said this about the Russia and applies to our food supply, "trust but verify"


You haven't stopped driving his car just because someone had an accident. So, don't let the threat of e. coli and other food borne diseases prevent him enjoying one of the primary ways that you can improve your health and slow the aging process that is eating their fruits and vegetables.


You can still learn more on www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodborne_illness  and  www.familydoctor.org

Saturday, 18 June 2011

What you should be aware of and look out for a private event or party to avoid food poisoning

Private events are not required to meet or provide the same level of control standards or the health and food safety that commercial facilities must meet. You, therefore, is left to fend for itself. Don't be afraid. There are many things that you as a guest you can look for when you attend or participate in an event served large private party, picnic, BBQ etc. that can minimize your chances of getting a food borne illness or food poisoning.


Here is a short list of common sense observations and actions to be considered and be alert for because much of the food in the biggest events is mass produced elsewhere, the single most common and important problem you encounter is temperature abuse. The hottest units commonly used are chafing dishes with one or two small flame underneath.


It can be difficult to find, but look for hot foods steam be warm or hot to the touch and cold foods to have a sensation of cold.A way of limiting the temperature abuse problem is that everyone can eat as soon as they arrive at the event. Don't have or engage in other activities for the first time. Most people are brining food for an event will not bring the equipment needed to maintain this food to their appropriate temperature of cold or hot. This is especially important for outside events in hot weather.


Be very distrustful of great vessels deep bowls or buckets of thick soups, stews, beans, etc. with a depth of 6 to 8 inches or more, unless you know these foods only recently were made, i.e. that day these types of foods in containers more profound take a very long time to cool down and provide an environment ideal for bacteria, Clostridium perfrigens omnipresent, commonly called bug cafeteria, cafeterias traditionally use these types of pots and pans to produce food in large batches.


In addition to deep pots, there are some other foods that I'm just wary of private events. These include dishes that took more time and processing or handling efforts to produce, and is supposed to be kept cold. Cold salads like chicken, potatoes, eggs or seafood are good examples. Cooking kills at least most of pathogenic microorganisms, whereas the cold temperatures of cooling only retard growth. I tend to choose foods that are cooked and served hot recently.


Look for poorly cooked meat products, poultry, eggs and seafood particularly BBQ meats and salads. Because the meat is cooked salad or processed separately in many cases (for culinary reasons probably), it is not always completely cooked. Also, who has always known that barbecue unless you also is practiced and familiar with the BBQ you're using, it is difficult to hit only the meat. T


he barbecue is usually not so efficient in the production of heat and cook evenly compared with a stove or oven. It is very easy either above or below to cook food. Even the large barbecues, with extra insulation and gadgets you see out today still take practice to get it right.


The barbecue is especially susceptible to cross-contamination. The person cooking on the barbecue can be easily distracted during an event, or may not have brought separate utensils, plates, etc.dealing with the meat raw versus cooked. Another way to Cross contaminate is with Marinades. The marinade used to saturate the raw meat is then followed to the meat during the final stages of cooking. This marinade very probably could be a soup of microorganism depending on conditions of temperature of meat was kept as a marinade.


It cannot hurt also take into consideration the person who made the food, if you can. What is your story make this dish and they are quite educated about food security practices, They made an effort to keep food hot or cold while is was being transported, displayed and served


One last tip on a private event-if you see any of the conditions or situations noted above, especially the problems of temperature and you have a choice between foods prepared at home versus someone feed from a well-known local restaurantI would recommend choosing foods prepared in the restaurant, diplomatically of course.


Although there are many ignorant food handlers, chefs, cooks etc in restaurants, they are at least experienced in producing your food journal and more likely to know their potential hazards during preparation. They are also regularly inspected for compliance with health and safety regulations and standards, unlike private house kitchen. Chow.


You can still learn more on www.foodborneillness.com  and  http://www.patient.co.uk/

Tuesday, 14 June 2011

You are at risk of food-borne illness

What are your chances of food poisoning, or worse The estimated annual incidence of food-borne diseases varies from 6. 5 million to 81 million cases nationally, although some experts believe the number is as high as 300 million.


The estimated annual incidence of food-borne diseases varies from 6. 5 million to 81 million cases nationally, although some experts believe the number is as high as 300 million. For older children and adults more healthy ingestion of infective dose of food-borne germs leads to little more than a few days of diarrhea or vomiting. Other people become extremely ill with such diseases as sanguinolenta, dehydration, renal failure, arthritis, paralysis or meningitis.


Each year, die an estimated 9000 American complications of foodborne diseases.


There are factors which place people at higher risk for food borne diseases, and this may vary as we get older. Food safety experts urge us, especially high-risk individuals and their loved ones, to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, wash hands before eating, to avoid Cross-contaminating your food and exercise caution when dining out.


Are you or someone in your family at high risk for foodborne disease now? Take the quiz below to find out.


Are you (or your child) in 5 years
Has more than 75 years
You're pregnant
You take antacids regularly
You're taking an antibiotic
You have just finished a course of treatment with antibiotics for less than two weeks
You have HIV, AIDS or other immune system disorder
You are taking medication that suppresses the immune system
Underwent gastric surgery
Have you ever had an organ transplant
You have Hodgkin's disease, leukemia or lymphoma
You're undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer
You have chronic lung or heart disease
Are undernourished
You drink two or more alcoholic beverages per day
You have liver disease
Has a long time user steroids (for conditions such as asthma or arthritis)


If you answered Yes to any of the above questions, you may be at risk for foodborne illness.


You can still learn more on www.foodborneillness.org  and  http://www.nichd.nih.gov/