A USDA study on consumer food preparation behavior highlights the risks of not following food safety rules. The five year study looked at how consumers prepare meals in light of the risks of food poisoning. The study was produced by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as part of their efforts to educate the public about safe food handling practices. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban said in a statement, "These studies are important for USDA to understand consumer behaviors in the kitchen and it is timely to be releasing the latest findings during Food Safety Education Month. The results allow us to shape food safety communications and help consumers safely prepare food." The three areas the study concentrated on were handwashing, thermometer … [Read more...]
Wash Your Hands and Use a Food Thermometer This Summer
The USDA is reminding consumers to wash hands and use a food thermometer this summer to avoid foodborne illness. These rules apply even when you are camping, grilling outdoors, or having a picnic. The USDA has observed, in their test kitchens, that consumers are skipping basic food safety practices, which increases the risk of suffering food poisoning. USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin said in a statement, "Our research shows that participants were not adequately washing their hands or using a food thermometer. Summer is a time to relax and enjoy delicious meals with friends and family but foodborne pathogens never rest. Following safe food handling practices during this and all other seasons can reduce the risk of you and your loved ones getting sick." A … [Read more...]
FDA’s Food Safety and Nutrition Survey Report Released
The FDA's Food Safety and Nutrition Survey, the agency's probability consumer survey designed to assess consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding, and self-reported behaviors regarding food safety, has been released for 2019. The survey was launched to help the FDA make informed regulatory, education, and policy decisions to protect public health. The survey was a mail-push to web methodology. The population includes adults who live in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. A total of 4,398 responses were collected during ht months of October and November 2019. Before this methodology change, FDA consumer surveys were conducted using phone interviews. The key findings on food safety include consumer knowledge about where they think they may contract food poisoning, … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Norovirus Infection?
Norovirus is the most common type of food poisoning, causing about 685,000,000 case worldwide every year. The virus is extremely contagious and is passed through contaminated food and drink, through contact with contaminated surfaces, and through person-to-person contact. Most people with this infection do not require medical care, but some people, especially those in high risk groups such as the elderly, the very young, and people with chronic health conditions may become dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea and need hospitalization. In children under the age of five, mostly in developing countries, this infection causes about 50,000 deaths every year. Symptoms of norovirus include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Fever Headache Body aches Symptoms … [Read more...]
Today Is Global Handwashing Day; Learn Tips From the CDC
Today is Global Handwashing Day. Did you know that washing your hands properly is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses? Keeping your hands clean can prevent 30% of diarrheal illnesses and 20% of respiratory infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This day highlights the importance of using soap and water properly to clean your hands. It's especially important to teach young children and teenagers how to wash their hands thoroughly. These age groups often don't know how to complete this task. This year's theme is "Hand Hygiene For All," and seeks to make soap and water available globally, especially in public places such as schools and healthcare facilities. This action can not only help prevent foodborne … [Read more...]
Yes, More Tips On Handwashing to Avoid Food Poisoning and Coronavirus
Yes, here are more tips on handwashing to avoid food poisoning and coronavirus. Everyone has been told over and over again to wash their hands thoroughly during food preparation and pretty much all the time to avoid coronavirus. Still, the USDA is offering more information about why hand washing is so important. We know that many food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to improper handwashing, especially when a cook or chef is working with raw meat and poultry. We also know that washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water will eliminate coronavirus. When you are washing your hands, first wet your hands with clean running water. Turn the faucet off and add soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together. Make sure that you lather under your nails (scrub the nails into … [Read more...]
Is the Coronavirus Pandemic Forcing You to Cook? Learn About Food Safety
The coronavirus pandemic is changing our lives in just about every way. From stores and restaurants closing to practicing social distancing, everyone is being forced to learn new habits and new ways of living. Is the coronavirus pandemic forcing you to cook? This is a great time to learn about food safety. In 2015, for the first time, Americans started spending more of their food budget on restaurant meals than grocery stores. While some groups will always cook from scratch, many people just don't do that anymore. So it's crucial that you learn about food safety as you are just starting to cook. You don't want to get food poisoning when hospitals are overwhelmed with pandemic patients, or any other time for that matter. Home cooks are the last line of defense against food … [Read more...]
Wash Your Hands to Prevent Food Poisoning and Coronavirus
Coronavirus is the big news these days: the virus is circling the globe, infecting thousands of people and may expand to pandemic proportions. Experts are giving great advice on how to avoid the virus. So what does that have to do with a site that focuses on food poisoning? There is one thing that prevention of coronavirus and food poisoning have in common: Wash your hands! There is no vaccine to prevent a COVID-19 infection. And there are no vaccines to prevent infection from Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The best advice from experts is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently to prevent transfer of viruses and bacteria to others. So do you know how to wash your hands properly? Here's the gist: Wet your hands under … [Read more...]
It’s Global Handwashing Day! Learn How to Prevent Illness
October 15 is Global Handwashing Day. Correctly washing your hands is one of the best ways to stop the spread of pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, hepatitis A, and Campylobacter. This day is intended to increase awareness of the benefits of proper handwashing. The CDC has information on this event. It's critically important to wash your hands at certain points during your day. Always wash them with soap and water after using the bathroom, after taking care of someone who is ill, after changing diapers, and before preparing and serving food. Also wash your hands after blowing your nose, after handling pet foods, and after touching garbage. Bacteria are also found on pets, toys, surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops, and in the sink … [Read more...]
USDA Study Shows Most People Don’t Wash Hands When Preparing Food
A new study from the USDA shows that most people don't wash hands while preparing food. In fact, about 97% of people in a study commissioned by that agency do not properly wash their hands while in the kitchen. Failure to wash hands while preparing food can lead to cross-contamination and cause food poisoning. Carmen Rottenberg, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at the USDA said in a statement, "As a mother of three young children, I am very familiar with the mad dash families go through to put dinner on the table. You can’t see, smell or feel bacteria. By simply washing your hands properly, you can protect your family and prevent that bacteria from contaminating your food and key areas in your kitchen." The observational study was conducted by the USDA with RTI … [Read more...]
