The San Benito County Public Health Department released tips for the holidays to avoid food-borne illnesses.
An announcement from the local agency outlined some crucial preventative measures for food handling. Those tips include the following:
• Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after food preparation, and especially after handling raw foods.
• Clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water after each use.
• Be sure to cook foods thoroughly and to refrigerate leftovers quickly (within two hours) at 40”F.
Consumers can find more information about food safety tips on the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) website.
According to the health department, bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination usually occurs as a result of poor food handling practices at the farms, factories, restaurants or homes.
Symptoms of foodborne disease may include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Most infected people recover from foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for potentially life-threatening complications.
