Many people don't think much of a stomach ache. They take it for granted and remedy it with pain killers or rest. But in some cases, the pain is from food poisoning, which could be fatal. According to food safety consultants in facilities such as Fort Richard Laboratories Ltd, the following habits are known to be common causes of food poisoning.
1. Washing raw meat in the sink.
Most people wash their meat in the sink. They do not know that bacteria and germs could easily spread to your sink and utensils when you do this.
Many people do not disinfect the sink after washing meat, which leads to an accumulation of bacteria. You could cross-contaminate fruits, vegetables, and utensils when you use the sink.
2. Eating uncooked eggs and dough.
It is a common habit for most people when baking, to taste their dough. This practice exposes them to salmonella, harmful bacteria that are found in uncooked eggs. If you do not cook your eggs properly, you could expose yourself to salmonella poisoning. Uncooked flour or dough might also contain E. coli which could lead to food poisoning.
3. Using the same cutting board to prepare all meals.
For most people, this acts as a way of saving the time and energy spent washing a lot of utensils. The foodborne pathogens from meat may be left on these boards. Once you use the same board to cut up ready to eat food, your food will get contaminated.
4. Not washing your hands.
One of the simplest ways to prevent food poisoning is to wash your hands properly with soap and water, especially after handling raw food. If you are preparing meals for your family, always wash your hands after using the toilet, sneezing, or even touching a pet before handling food.
Keeping your hands clean and checking expiry dates are some ways to prevent food poisoning. However, paying attention to your food preparation habits will go a long way in protecting your family and customers from food-borne illnesses.
