How You Can Fight Food Bugs

You run the risk of food poisoning if you don't handle and prepare your food properly. These simple steps will keep you and your family safe and healthy.

From Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

Next to the common cold, food poisoning is the most prevalent infection in Australia and New Zealand.

In all, more than 250 diseases can be spread through contaminated food. The term ‘food poisoning’ is now generally applied to illness (most often gastroenteritis, but occasionally nervous system complications) resulting from bacterial or viral contamination of food. Bacteria, including those that can cause foodborne illness, are found naturally all around you. They are invisible, so you cannot rely on sight or taste to detect them. Bacteria can cause disease either through their rapid multiplication inside the body (bacterial infection) or through toxins that they may produce (bacterial intoxication).

While heat destroys bacteria in food, some toxins, such as those produced by staphylococcal organisms, are heat stable. Infestation with parasites from raw or contaminated meat and fish can also cause food poisoning. With strict regulations controlling food processing, and the use of additives, illness due to deliberate adulteration of foods belongs to the past.

There are many opportunities for contamination to occur along the trail of harvesting, processing, packing, transporting and displaying food for sale. Most cases of food poisoning are caused by bacterial contamination, usually traceable to faulty handling and preparation in the home, or in restaurants, or food-service outlets. The micro-organisms that are most often responsible are Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella strains and Staphylococcus aureus.

Typical symptoms
Food poisoning usually causes nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps, headache and sometimes fever and prostration. The infection can be serious in vulnerable people, especially in infants and young children, people with chronic illness (including HIV, AIDS and other immune system disorders) and the elderly. Call the doctor if someone you know in these groups has symptoms of food poisoning. Otherwise, most cases clear up without medical help.

Botulism is a rare but grave form of food poisoning caused by a nerve toxin from C. botulinum. Symptoms of nerve and muscle impairment are double vision and difficulty in speaking, chewing, swallowing and breathing; any of these call for immediate medical attention.

The body rids itself of the organisms that cause food poisoning through vomiting and diarrhoea. Unpleasant though they may be, it’s best to let nature run its course. Don’t tax your digestive system with food until it’s able to handle it. Prevent fluid depletion by sipping water or a mixture of apple juice and water, or weak tea.

When you’re confident that your system has settled down, reintroduce foods gradually. Start with bland foods, such as toast, jelly, chicken and potatoes. In general, you can start eating normally when you feel like it.

How You Can Fight Food Bugs

You run the risk of food poisoning if you don't handle and prepare your food properly. These simple steps will keep you and your family safe and healthy.

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