How to Prevent Salmonella

Hygiene has become the catch word today, with almost all the people being conscious about what they are eating and where they are eating from. However, even if you are putting in your 100 percent efforts, you may still end up having food that has bacteria. Foods are very vulnerable and can get contaminated with bacteria at any stage. Salmonella bacteria are amongst the most frequently diagnosed source of food poisoning. Usually, salmonella food poisoning can be treated within five to seven days, but if left untreated for a long time, the infection can be life threatening as well. The affected person may suffer from bowel problems for several months, if the infection is chronic. Therefore, it is better to prevent your food from getting infected by the bacteria. Read on to find methods for preventing salmonella poisoning in your food.

Methods to Prevent Salmonella

You must be well informed of the temperatures to store particular food. Store them at perfect temperatures till the time you are ready to cook them or serve them. For example, hot foods such as soup must remain at a temperature of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold foods must stay below 40 degrees F.
Believe in cleanliness. Wash your hands, utensils and cooking surfaces, before handling food. Use paper towels and avoid using sponges. Be careful not only before cooking food, but also during and after cooking. Make sure that you do not have dirt lingering around you.
Always wash your hand thoroughly with soap or liquid hand wash, after handling fish, meat or poultry.
Be particular when you are handling food items. You may cross contaminate them. When you have used a particular utensil for raw meat, fish or egg, take caution that not to use it again. This way, you can avoid contaminating other food items as well.
The same rule, as above, applies to cutting boards and edges as well. Do not use the cutting edge that you have used for cutting meat or fish, for cutting other food items as well, before washing it. In fact, you should wash the kitchen knife thoroughly, after every use.
Go for egg-less dishes when packing a picnic lunch. While some yummy dishes might tempt you the other way around, remind yourself that health comes first. Vinegar-based salads are a much safer route.
To be on the safer side, do not store frozen red meat for more than two days. Whenever you use the meat, make sure that you thaw it first and then bake or cook it.
Always keep the food items covered with lid. This would prevent contamination, to a great extent.
In case you have just recovered from food poisoning, avoid eating raw egg or the food items that contain it as the chief ingredient.
Never consume unpasteurized or raw milk, especially when you are suffering from salmonella food poisoning.
Avoid eating hamburger meat. In case you feel tempted, make sure that you cook it thoroughly. Also take care that if the hamburger is cooked well, the meat would not appear pink in color.

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