10 Deadly Bacteria That Can Get In Your Food (And How To Stop Them From Getting There)
Top 5 YouTube Videos of 2009 Top 5
Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our environment. Not all bacteria cause disease in humans (for example, some bacteria are used beneficially in making cheese and yogurt). However, the prime causes of food-borne illness include parasites, viruses, and bacteria such as:
1. E. coli O157:H7
2. Campylobacter jejuni
3. Salmonella
4. Staphylococcus aureus
5. Listeria monocytogenes
6. Clostridium perfringens
7. Vibrio parahaemolyticus
8. Vibrio vulnificus
9. Hepatitis A virus, and
10. Norwalk and Norwalk-like virus
Bacteria that cause disease are called pathogens. These organisms can become unwelcome guests at the dinner table. When certain pathogens enter the food supply, they can cause food-borne illness. They're in a wide range of foods, including meat, milk and other dairy products, spices, chocolate, seafood, and even water. Millions of cases of food-borne illness occur each year.
Most cases of food-borne illness can be prevented. Careless food handling sets the stage for the growth of disease- causing "bugs." For example, hot or cold foods left standing too long at room temperature provide an ideal climate for bacteria to grow. Proper cooking or processing of food destroys bacteria.
Fresh does not always mean safe. The organisms that cause food poisoning aren't the ones that cause spoilage. Wax often coats certain kinds of produce, such as apples and cucumbers, and may trap pesticides. To remove the wax, wash with very diluted dish detergent and a soft scrub brush, or peel (the best nutrients are often in the peel, however).
Foods may be cross contaminated when cutting boards and kitchen tools that have been used to prepare a contaminated food, such as raw chicken, aren't cleaned before being used for another food, such as vegetables.
How Bacteria Get In Food
Bacteria may be present on products when you buy them. Plastic-wrapped boneless chicken and ground meat, for example, were once part of live chicken or cattle. Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs aren't sterile. Neither is fresh produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and melons. Foods, including safely cooked, ready-to-eat foods, can become cross contaminated with bacteria transferred from raw products, meat juices or other contaminated products, or from food handlers with poor personal hygiene.
Unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices and ciders, foods made with raw or undercooked eggs, chicken, tuna, potato and macaroni salads, and cream-filled pastries harboring these pathogens have also been implicated in food-borne illnesses, as has fresh produce.
Poultry is the food most often contaminated with disease- causing organisms. It's been estimated that 60 percent or more of raw poultry sold at retail probably carries some disease-causing bacteria.
Bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella have been found in raw seafood. Oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and cockles may be contaminated with hepatitis A virus.
If you have a health problem, especially one that may have impaired your immune system, don't eat raw shellfish and use only pasteurized milk and cheese, and pasteurized or concentrated ciders and juices.
Keep It Clean
The cardinal rule of safe food preparation in the home is: Keep everything clean.
The cleanliness rule applies to the areas where food is prepared and, most importantly, to the cook. Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare a meal and after handling raw meat or poultry. Cover long hair with a net or scarf, and be sure that any open sores or cuts on the hands are completely covered. If the sore or cut is infected, stay out of the kitchen.
Keep your work area clean and uncluttered. Be sure to wash the countertops with a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach to about 1 quart of water or with a commercial kitchen-cleaning agent diluted according to product directions. They're the most effective at getting rid of bacteria.
Also, be sure to keep dishcloths and sponges clean because, when wet, these materials harbor bacteria and may promote their growth. Wash dishcloths and sponges weekly in the washing machine in hot water.
While you're at it, sanitize the kitchen sink drain periodically by pouring down the sink a solution of one teaspoon bleach to one quart of water or a commercial cleaning agent. Food particles get trapped in the drain and disposal and, along with moistness, create an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
Use smooth cutting boards made of hard maple or plastic and free of cracks and crevices. Avoid boards made of soft, porous materials. Wash cutting boards with hot water, soap, and a scrub brush. Then, sanitize them in an automatic dishwasher or by rinsing with a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine bleach to about 1 quart of water.
Always wash and sanitize cutting boards after using them for raw foods, such as seafood or chicken, and before using them for other foods. Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked, such as raw fish, and another only for ready-to-eat foods, such as bread, fresh fruit, and cooked fish. Visit The Cutting Board Factory for a great selection of food-safe cutting boards.
Always use clean utensils and wash them between cutting different foods.
Wash the lids of canned foods before opening to keep dirt from getting into the food. Also, clean the blade of the can opener after each use. Food processors and meat grinders should be taken apart and cleaned as soon as possible after they're used.
Don't put cooked meat on an unwashed plate or platter that has held raw meat.
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly, rinsing in warm water. Don't use soap or other detergents. If necessary (and appropriate) use a small scrub brush to remove surface dirt.
Keep your kitchen clean and bacteria-free. Clean kitchen surfaces with hot soapy water using antibacterial sponges and soaps.
The sponges themselves should be bacteria-free. Microwave them for about a minute to keep them clean and dry.
Keep benches, cutting boards, knives, pans or other utensils clean.
Terry Nicholls
My Home-Based Business Advisor
www.my-home-based-business-advisor.com
Copyright © by Terry Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.
About The Author
Terry Nicholls is the author of the eBook "Food Safety: Protecting Your Family From Food Poisoning". In addition, he writes from his own experiences in trying to start his own home-based business. To benefit from his success, visit My Home-Based Business Advisor - Helping YOUR Home Business Start and Succeed for free help for YOUR home business, including ideas, startup, and expansion advice.
Here are some other great websites
USBHDTVTUNER.COM
GlobaliPhone.com
BlackMediaOnline.com
GreenAmerica.us
DiabeteshealthLive.com
AssetsBuyer.com
AnsweringServiceCalifornia.com
CHELATEDVITAMINS.COM
ENZYMETABLETS.COM
LAPTOPNOTEBOOKS.NET
BioMass-Ethanol.com
MyInsuranceRates.info
BestiPTVs.com
DatingServicePro.com
TheSafe.mobi
PayPlan.mobi
FortCollinsFSBO.com
PayDayAhead.com
MyDatingServices.info
MesotheliomaLawyersWeb.com
TheDatingServices.info
PayCheckAdvancePro.com
ConsolidateLoansWeb.com
EatingDisordersHelp.info
BigAppleRealEstate.info
ExoticSpas.net
LatinMedia.us
CellulosicBiomassEthanol.com
CarSalesMedia.com
WarofThePods.com
WeatherPhones.com
MobiCash.net
VideoStreamingMedia.com
RestaurantRome.com
RestaurantCairo.com
RestaurantPanamaCityBeach.com
RestaurantDestin.com
INFRAREDREPEATERS.com
PainControlMedicine.com
GreenEnergyMedia.com
VisitRomaItaly.com
ROMAAPPARTAMENTO.COM
VisitRomeIT.com
VisitRomaItalia.com
RomaItalia.org
VisitPanamaCityBeachFL.com
VisitDestinFL.com
VisitMemphisTennessee.com
MemphisTennesseeLoans.com
MemphisTennesseeApartments.com
MemphisTennesseeBanks.com
GlobalWarmingCrisis.org
DVB.LA
iTube.us
SELFPESTCONTROL.COM
BanksDeposits.com
DNAcomputing.info
BuyTheRightDomain.com
NaperVilleFSBO.com
OnlineBudgetTravel.com
MediterraneanCusine.com
WAWireless.com
LowestPriceDrugsOnline.com
MySpacePlans.com
ComposingSoftware.com
HydraulicMassageTable.com
MiniCircuitBreakers.com
USBENCLOSURES.COM
VOICESTRESSTEST.COM
IndoorCages.com
SettingupEmail.com
XDReader.com
MiniWidgets.com
GuaranteeRates.com
TextTeen.com
BankOfSavannah.com
xPestControl.com
MemphisCan.com
CreditBorrow.com
TextSexMe.com
TextSex.us
WirelessBroadBandTV.net
WirelessBroadBandHDTV.com
CountryWesternMedia.com
BUSINESSDOMAINS.NAME
EASTERBUNNYBASKETS.COM
TheGutBuster.com
xAmericans.com
TextCoins.com
MethylTetraHydroFuran.com
MobiCharge.net
MobiCoins.com
MenopauseOnline.info
Fun Shop Memphis
#Green #Energy #Global Warming #Fuel #Climate change #Travel #Restaurants #Vacation #Destinations #Food #Hotels #Motels #Cash #Money #Loans #Payday loans #Borrow #Credit #Asset buyer #Text #Texting #Sexting Computers #Computer services #Health #Medicine #Drugs #Vitamins #Spa #Disease #Pain control #massage table #FSBO #Real Estate #FortCollins #Naperville #Media #Advertising #Newspapers #magazines #Online Advertising
howard74@peoplepc.com
Enables users to search the Web, Usenet, and images. Features include PageRank, caching and translation of results, and an option to find similar pages. The company's focus is developing search technology.
A social utility that connects people, to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos.
YouTube is a way to get your videos to the people who matter to you. Upload, tag and share your videos worldwide!
Indian version of this popular search engine. Search the whole web or only webpages from India. Interfaces offered in English, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi and Tamil.
Social networking and microblogging service utilising instant messaging, SMS or a web interface.
Amazon.com seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Site has numerous personalization features and services including one-click buying, extensive customer and editorial product reviews, gift registries, gift certificates, wish lists, restaurant and movie listings, travel, and photo processing.
Free blogs managed by the developers of the WordPress software. Includes custom design templates, integrated statistics, automatic spam protection and other features.
Related Articles:
Grocery Manufacturers Association Outlines Wide-Ranging Initiatives to Bolster Food Safety
Projects Highlight Private Sector Expertise, Experience and Commitment
AIB International to Implement MetricStream for Compliance and Safety Audits
MetricStream solution to improve efficiencies of conducting rigorous independent inspections and audits that enable AIB’s worldwide foodservice clients to lower business risk and strengthen reputation.
Meet Delilah: Entertaining and Educating Children and Parents on Handwashing & Food Safety
Green Apple Tales brings food safety to life in this series of children's books, teaching families the basics of food safety and hygiene, and preventing the spread of bacterial and viral diseases.
This is a novel approach to delivering food safety information, through its team of lovable characters, full-color illustrations and easy-to understand principles. Based on USDA and FDA guidelines, a different principle is depicted in each story to help keep families safe, from handwashing to food allergies, to keeping foods safe at a holiday party.
DNV and Michigan State University Release Initial Findings of U.S. Food Safety Survey
Consumers alter shopping habits based on food safety concerns and express confidence in the idea of labeling products with evidence of independent food safety certification.
USFoodSafety.Com Provides A More Comprehensive, Up-To-Date List Of Recalled Consumer Hazelnut Products
USFoodSafety.com, the first website to provide consumers with the most up-to-date food safety alerts, recalls, advice and columns will provide a complete list of recalled Hazelnut products as well as a safe to eat hazelnut product list when warranted. For easy consumer viewing visit http://www.usfoodsafety.com. The blog, http://blog.usfoodsafety.com, will provide intermittent recalls as they become available.
U.S. Foodservice Helps Set the Standard For Food Safety in the United States
U.S. Foodservice Hosts Meeting for the Produce Good Agricultural Practices Harmonization Initiative
iPura is the "Worlds First Food Safety Brand"
Global Food Technologies, a California based life science company, is introducing iPura® the "worlds first food safety brand" in response our most urgent food safety needs, at the Boston Seafood Show on March 15th. The iPura Food Safety Program integrates a comprehensive daily regimen with environmentally friendly technologies and delivery systems to mitigate food hazards at the source of production, bolstering the food safety aspects of HACCP and recognized food safety standards.
Employee Development And Leadership Training Company Now Offering Two Food Safety E-Learning Courses
Certified professional food safety courses now offered by leading e-learning company specializing in employee development and leadership training.
How to Calculate a Cost of Living Index
Definition:
A Cost Of Living Index (COLI) is a price index that measures the relative cost of living over time It is an index that measures differences in the price of goods and services
Food Safety Thrives When Consumers Focus on Five -
Focusing on Five Easy Steps Helps Consumers Reduce Their Risk of Foodborne Illness
September marks the start of Food Safety Education month, a time for consumers to incorporate safe food handling practices that can reduce their risk of foodborne illness into their daily routine. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2009 Food & Health Survey, 52 percent of consumers perceive foodborne illness as the most important food safety issue, but the survey also found that people have room for improvement when it comes to following proper food safety practices at home.
Selecting The Right Probiotic Is The Key To Proper Digestion
Have you ever thought about what is going into your body each day? If not, then you should. One of the main ways to feel and be healthier is eating nutritious food and making sure your GI (gastrointestinal) tract has the right tools to digest and absorb nutrients. The GI tract, which includes the stomach and intestines, works to digest food and eliminate waste. A variety of 'good? bacteria, called probiotic bacteria, can help to keep the digestive running as well as digest food, process waste, and keep take care of 'bad? bacteria which causes disease and illness.
EtQ, Inc. to Exhibit at the 2009 Food Safety Summit
EtQ is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Food Safety Summit to be held on April 27th through 29th at the Washington D.C. Convention Center.
Food Safety Lawyer Fred Pritzker Applauds Obama And Wants New Measures of Redress for Food Poisoning Victims
President Obama's Food Safety Working Group has made quick work of his instruction to overhaul agency guidelines to offer consumers more protection against E. coli and other pathogens. National food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker is calling on Congress to build on the foundation laid by the White House. And no set of protections will be complete unless the victims of foodborne illness are given greater redress against companies that are repeat and mass offenders when it comes to contaminating our food.
U.S. Foodservice Provides Produce Food Safety Expertise to Restaurant and Hospitality Industry Leaders
Food safety expert Jorge Hernandez participates in the “Enhancing the Safety of Fresh Produce” a panel at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show 2010
Total Logistic Control (TLC) Earns Food Safety/Quality Certification at Georgia Facility
A Total Logistic Control® (TLC) facility in Athens, Ga., has been certified by Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute in recognition of its food safety and quality assurance practices. The months-long process to earn the SQF 2000 certification, which is designed for manufacturers, processors and distributors, required TLC to present ongoing evidence of sustainable food safety and quality systems and will require additional audits during the first three years of certification.