Why Does Food Poisoning Happen And How to Avoid It?

Food poisoning is actually quite a large and widespread concept. Since it is due to eating or drinking food and that is why it is of different types and happens for different reasons.

According to the UK Department of National Health Services, food poisoning usually does not take a serious turn and gets better within a week.

What is food poisoning?

According to the BBC's Good Food report, food poisoning is sometimes caused by a variety of germs, often due to the presence of toxic substances in the food and sometimes due to physical problems such as allergies or excessive alcohol consumption.

The World Health Organization defines food-borne illness as "a disease that is contagious or toxic in nature and is caused by a bacterium that enters the body through food or drink."

Food can be toxic due to the bacteria in it or due to the toxic reaction caused by the bacteria. Food poisoning can also be caused by viruses and parasites.

What kind of it is?

There are many types of food poisoning. Food poisoning is divided based on what causes the poisoning. E.g.

1. Campylobacter bacteria: Food poisoning is most common due to Campylobacter bacteria. It is usually found in raw or semi-cooked meat. It also contains unpasteurized milk and unrefined water. Symptoms appear within two to five days of entering the body through food. Many times it can take 10-11 days. The symptoms last less than a week. However, complications can occur if the immune system is weak.

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2. Listeria monocytogenic bacteria: These bacteria are usually present in ready-to-eat or ready-to-eat foods. These bacteria are found in pre-made sandwiches, cooked meats, and special soft foods. Harmful to older people, people with weakened immune systems or even pregnant women can cause miscarriage.

3. Salmonella bacteria: Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in undercooked meats, raw eggs, milk and other dairy products. It attacks within 12 to 72 hours of entering the body. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. These usually last for about seven days.

4. E. coli bacteria: Escherichia coli or E. coli bacteria for short is found in the digestive tract of human beings like other animals. Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful. However, several types of these bacteria can cause serious illness. The STECs E-coli type is mostly responsible for food poisoning. Another type is E-coli 0157.

In most cases, people get infected by eating uncooked meat or unpasteurized milk. Symptoms appear within 01-08 days. These include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.

5. Shigella bacteria: Any food washed with contaminated water can contain these bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea. Symptoms appear within seven days after eating this bacterial food and they last for about seven days.

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6. Clostridium perfringen bacteria: Attack of these bacteria can cause diseases like gastroenteritis or heartburn. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur. Usually found in meat. If left for more than two hours after cooking, these bacteria can be produced in the food.

7. Bacillus carios bacteria: It is similar to Clostridium perfringen bacteria and produces similar symptoms.

8. Botulism: This disease is caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Its attack can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Severe attacks can lead to paralysis of the muscles of the arms, legs, shoulders, and respiratory tract. But over time, that is likely to change.

9. Virus: A virus called norovirus responsible for diarrhea and vomiting. It is spread from one person to another through contaminated water or food. Raw shellfish, especially oysters, are the source of this virus. Symptoms usually appear within 24-48 hours. The hepatitis E virus also causes fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice and bloating.

10. Parasites or parasites: Infections of different types of parasites or parasites through food cause symptoms within 10 days.

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Why does food poisoning happen?

Food poisoning is mainly caused by eating contaminated food or drinking water. There can also be multiple causes of food poisoning. The UK National Health Service and the BBC's Good Food report mention some of the factors that are responsible for food poisoning.

These are-

• Food is not cooked well especially if poultry or various kinds of meat are not cooked well.
•  If hands are not washed well while preparing or transporting or delivering food. Do not wash     your hands with soap, especially after using the toilet or after removing dirt.
• If Cooked food should not be stored for a long time or kept in the refrigerator.
• If perishable food is eaten even after its due date.
• Eating food touched by someone who is sick. Also eats food that has been touched by someone who has been in contact with someone who is sick.      
•  Cross-contamination or where harmful bacteria spread from one food to another or from food containers and utensils to good food. For example, if the meat is cut using a chopping board, knife or fork, and if the food, such as a salad, is cut without washing it, it becomes contaminated. This is because the bacteria in the meat can then spread to salads. Also, if raw meat is stored in the fridge with cooked food or juice, there is a risk of contamination.
• Drinks drinking water that is not well purified.

Which foods should be kept in mind?

The BBC's Good Food reports that if any food becomes contaminated, there is a risk of health risks. However, there are some foods that need a little special attention.

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• Those who are younger or older, those who are pregnant, or those who have digestive problems should be a little more careful in determining their diet.
• Meat: All types of meat contain bacteria so it is important to prepare them properly and cook them well. Care should also be taken to clean or wash the meat before cooking as it can spread bacteria to other foods. Properly cooked, it kills all kinds of bacteria.
• Vegetables and fruits: Vegetables and fruits should be cleaned very well. The soil particles should be cleaned by rinsing the fruits and vegetables with a bowl full of water or under running water. This is because many times these soil particles may contain E-coli virus which can cause food poisoning. All foods used in making salads should be washed very well.
• Unwashed rice: BBC Goodfood reports that Adhoa rice often contains single-celled seeds or spores of a bacterium called Bacillus cerius that can cause food poisoning. These survive even if the rice is cooked. When cooked rice or rice is kept at normal temperature for a long time, the unicellular seeds of this bacterium grow there and produce full bacteria. These bacteria increase their levels and produce toxins that can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Leaving this rice for too long can make it unsafe to eat. And so the rice should always be cooked well and cooked as much as needed. If that is not possible, the rice should be refrigerated within an hour after cooking and eaten within 24 hours.
• Sprouted Peas: When buying sprouted peas, you need to see in the packet whether they are processed or not. If not, it must be washed and cooked.
• Bean sprouts: Bean sprouts, especially red bean sprouts (red kidney bean) naturally contain a type of lectin called phytohemagglutinin which can poison food. These must be soaked in water and boiled so that the toxins are destroyed. 

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• How to avoid food poisoning?
• Hands should be washed with hot water and soap before touching food, returning from the toilet, catching pets, or removing dirt.
• Always store raw and ready-to-eat or purchased foods separately.
• Eat before the expiration date on the packet.
• Store food at the prescribed temperature. It is usually 5 degrees Celsius in the fridge. Once cooked or after opening the packet, it should be eaten at the prescribed time (usually 2 days).
• Regularly wash and clean the place where food is cooked and prepared with hot water and soap. It must be cleaned, especially after cooking the meat.
• Keep pets out of the kitchen when cooking. Once in the kitchen, clean it as needed.
• Food cannot be left open. Once opened, it should not be left at normal temperature for more than two hours.
• Always make sure that the food is cooked very well.
• You need to heat the food well while eating.
• It is better not to prepare food when you are sick.
• If you have to eat outdoors or in a restaurant, you can check the cleanliness first.

Source: BBC Bangla