Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning This Summer

Summer is the time for outdoor get-togethers with friends and family, and these often involve food. Considering that 1 in 6 people in the United States gets sick from foodborne diseases, it’s a good idea to take extra steps to keep yourself and others safe.

High temperatures increase the risk of foodborne illness. Bacteria multiply most rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Microorganisms grow fastest when environmental temperatures hit 90°F to 110°F. 

If you want to enjoy summer and beyond, there are a few ways to significantly reduce your risk of food poisoning. Here at Hibari Family Medical, in Edgewater, New Jersey, our experts see an uptick in food poisoning during the warmer months. 

Here’s how they recommend preventing it.

Keep it clean

To avoid food poisoning, you should:

• Rinse vegetables and fruits before you eat them
• Clean utensils and food preparation surfaces often
• Clean your hands before and after handling food

Keeping your kitchen as clean and as bacteria-free as possible is an important step in avoiding food poisoning.

Keep foods separate

A great way to avoid food poisoning is to avoid cross-contamination. For example, if you’re preparing chicken, make sure you thoroughly clean the cutting board afterward before placing any other food on it.

You should also keep certain foods away from each other — don’t let raw chicken mingle with ready-to-eat foods.

Cook to the right temperature

Another great way to eliminate harmful bacteria in many foods is to cook them properly. Arm yourself with a cooking thermometer, and be sure to cook meats to the desired safe internal temperature.

Defrost and marinate in the fridge

When you need to defrost frozen meats or fish, or to marinate them, do so in your refrigerator, not on the counter at room temperature. As a rule of thumb, bacteria dislike the cold, so be sure that raw meat and fish spend most of their time in the fridge or freezer until it’s time to cook them.

Recognizing symptoms and when to seek medical care

Mild cases can usually be managed at home by staying hydrated and resting. However, certain symptoms require professional evaluation from our medical team.

You should seek medical attention if you experience a high fever, bloody stool, prolonged vomiting that prevents fluid retention, or signs of severe dehydration like dizziness and dry mouth. Infants, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications from foodborne illnesses.

If you suspect you have a severe foodborne illness, call us today or request an appointment online.