September Is Food Safety Education Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six people experience food poisoning annually in the United States. Created in 1994, Food Safety Education Month raises awareness of foodborne illness risks and offers insight on how to prevent food poisoning from affecting your family or restaurant patrons.

Especially for older people who live on their own and may be experiencing forgetfulness, it’s important to make sure they understand how to safely handle and prepare food.

Risk Factors of Foodborne Illness

Whether you’re eating out or cooking a meal at home, the National Restaurant Association has identified 5 risk factors that can lead to food poisoning.

Food Purchased From Unsafe Sources

Unfortunately, we do not always know where the food we purchase comes from. If you’re uneasy about the source, only buy your food or dine at places where you feel comfortable.

Incorrect Internal Cooking Temperatures

When cooking meat, fish and even vegetables, there are safe internal temperatures that make each type of food safe to eat.

• Poultry: 165° F
• Ground Meat or Seafood: 155° F
• Seafood, Steak or Chops: 145° F
• Roasts (Pork, Veal, Beef, Lamb): 145° F
• Fruits or Vegetables: 135° F

Incorrect Holding Temperatures

Make sure the temperatures at which you serve and store food is safe for consumption. Too cold or too hot could lead to unwanted bacteria growth.

Use of Unclean Equipment

Neglecting to wash and sanitize cooking equipment like knives, cutting boards and mixing bowls can lead to cross-contamination. It is never safe to use the same knife to cut raw chicken and vegetables, unless you have thoroughly washed the equipment between uses.

Incorrect Hand Washing

Many people learn to wash their hands at a young age, but it’s possible you have been doing it wrong all these years! Follow these steps for a thorough handwashing:

1. Wet hands with warm water
2. Lather up the soap
3. Scrubs hands and arms for 10 to 15 seconds
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water
5. Dry hands and arms

You may not always think to do so, but cleaning your fingertips, under your fingernails and between your fingers can remove additional germs from your skin.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Whether you have consumed undercooked or contaminated food, these are some of the signs that point to foodborne illness:

West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center is your local source for healthy aging. To learn more about our services, contact us today!